'A clumsy human rights award charade'

Motives and objectives of sabotage

In late November 2021, in the United States, the "Vietnam Human Rights Network" (VHRN) issued a press release about the "Vietnam Human Rights Award 2021". Among the five award winners, three were from the same family: Can Thi Theu and her two sons, Trinh Ba Phuong and Trinh Ba Tu. The other two were Nguyen Van Tuc and Dinh Thi Thu Thuy.

In reality, the so-called "Vietnam Human Rights Award" is merely a facade, a thin cloak concealing individuals engaged in activities against the Party, the State, and the Vietnamese nation.

In reality, the activities of the "Vietnam Human Rights Network" abroad are aimed at undermining Vietnam. (Illustrative image)

For a long time, the so-called "Vietnam Human Rights Network" and some human rights organizations abroad have created numerous awards to "honor" individuals they consider to have "actively contributed to the struggle for democracy and human rights worldwide." Judging by their names, the purpose of these awards seems humane and for the progress of society. However, viewed objectively and comprehensively, this is merely a clumsy "act" by some organizations and individuals who are plotting to exploit democracy and human rights to undermine countries that do not share their path, including Vietnam.

It is unacceptable to "award prizes" to criminals.

According to the so-called "Vietnam Human Rights Network," the individuals chosen by this organization for "honor" in 2021 include: Can Thi Theu, Trinh Ba Phuong, Trinh Ba Tu, Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, and Nguyen Van Tuc. Let's review the "track records" of these individuals to understand who they really are and what the purpose of awarding the so-called "Vietnam Human Rights Award" is.

As we know, Can Thi Theu and her son Trinh Ba Tu have long been individuals with negative and politically disgruntled ideologies. Investigations by authorities and case files show that between January 9th and 14th, 2020, Can Thi Theu and Trinh Ba Tu used their personal Facebook accounts to livestream eight videos containing content against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam… For this violation, the Hoa Binh Provincial People's Court sentenced Can Thi Theu and Trinh Ba Tu each to eight years in prison for the crime of "Making, possessing, distributing, or disseminating information, documents, or items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam," and three years of local probation after serving their prison sentences. Currently, Can Thi Theu and Trinh Ba Tu are serving their sentences.

Defendant Can Thi Theu and her son Trinh Ba Tu at the trial. (Archival photo)

As the son of Can Thi Theu, Trinh Ba Phuong was heavily influenced by negative and resentful ideologies, leading to repeated violations of the law. On June 23, 2020, the Hanoi Police Investigation Agency initiated criminal proceedings and executed an arrest warrant against Trinh Ba Phuong for the crime of "Making, possessing, distributing, or disseminating information, documents, or items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" under Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code. Authorities have conducted initial investigations into Trinh Ba Phuong's illegal activities. Accordingly, his actions of drafting, posting, and distributing numerous video clips and articles containing distorted and fabricated content, causing public panic with the aim of opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, have been clarified. Trinh Ba Phuong is currently being held in temporary detention, awaiting trial by the Hanoi People's Court.

Similarly, Dinh Thi Thu Thuy is also a person currently serving a prison sentence. Her illegal actions have been clarified by the Security Investigation Agency of the Hau Giang Provincial Police. On January 20, 2021, the Hau Giang Provincial People's Court held a first-instance trial and sentenced Dinh Thi Thu Thuy to 7 years in prison for the crime of "Making, storing, distributing or disseminating information, documents, or items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" under Clause 1, Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code.

The same applies to Nguyen Van Tuc. In September 2008, he was charged and detained by authorities for "propagating against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam." The investigation clearly revealed his violations. Following the first-instance trial, the Hanoi High Court of Appeal sentenced Nguyen Van Tuc to 4 years of imprisonment and 3 years of probation for the same crime. In September 2017, Nguyen Van Tuc was again charged and detained by the Thai Binh Provincial Police for "activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government." After the first-instance verdict of the Thai Binh Provincial People's Court, Tuc appealed. In September 2018, the Hanoi High Court of Appeal upheld the first-instance verdict, rejecting the appeal and sentencing Nguyen Van Tuc to 13 years of imprisonment and 5 years of probation for "activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government."

Nguyen Van Tuc is using subversive tactics.

Be clear-headed and discern right from wrong.

It is now clear that the human rights awards mentioned are essentially just tools and means used by reactionary organizations to encourage, support, nurture, and incite elements masquerading as democrats who exploit human rights to undermine Vietnam. Most of those who claim to be "fighting for democracy and human rights" have been prosecuted by law. When standing before the court, they admitted to receiving funding from these organizations to use in their anti-Vietnam activities… and all pleaded guilty. However, in reality, some people are still deluded, blinded by the praise and financial support offered through the "awards" of some reactionary organizations abroad.

No matter how sophisticated or elaborate their methods, these tactics cannot conceal the sinister intentions of these disguised reactionary organizations. They conspire to incite, promote, and support activities aimed at undermining the Vietnamese State.

In the current political context, each of us needs to be clear-sighted and discern right from wrong in socio-political criteria, viewed from the perspective of national and ethnic interests, including respect for the Constitution and laws. Never be naive or deluded by those prestigious but meaningless awards, because they are merely a deception within the "peaceful evolution" charade orchestrated by hostile forces to undermine the Vietnamese revolution.