You can download the full report in English by click here. For Vietnamese version, please click here.

*******

Vietnam has experienced a turbulent political period since early 2024, marked by the rapid rise to power of Tô Lâm, who ascended from Minister of Public Security to President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) within just a few months. His political advancement has granted unprecedented power and influence to the Ministry of Public Security while also leading to an increase in human rights violations in both frequency and severity.

At the beginning of 2024, a classified document titled Directive 24-CT/TW was leaked. Issued by the CPV Central Committee on July 19, 2023, the directive aimed to “ensure national security in the context of comprehensive and deep international integration”. Its core content focused on preventing “peaceful evolution” through enhanced surveillance of citizens and party members, as well as prohibiting the establishment of any political or social organizations. The revelation of this document drew significant attention from those concerned with human rights in Vietnam due to its sweeping implications for government policies. Indeed, many legal documents introduced in 2024 have reflected the influence of Directive 24, particularly in restricting citizens’ rights and expanding the government’s authority in surveillance and enforcement

Freedom of speech and religious freedom remained the two most heavily and systematically violated rights throughout the year. Additionally, certain indigenous groups in Vietnam faced increasing repression and suppression from the authorities.

In 2024, the Vietnamese government prosecuted and arrested at least 59 people based on the exercise of their fundamental freedoms.1. The most frequently used charges were “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state, the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations” (Article 331 of the Penal Code) and “conducting propaganda against the state” (Article 117 of the Penal Code), under which a total of 34 people were arrested, while one person was prosecuted and placed under movement restrictions.

Twelve people were accused by the government of being members of the Provisional National Government of Vietnam (PNGVN) and arrested under charges of “activities aimed at overthrowing the government” (Article 109 of the Penal Code). Seven cases of Khmer monks and Buddhist followers were arrested for “illegal detaining others” (Article 157 of the Penal Code). One case was arrested for “insulting the national flag” (Article 351 of the 2015 Penal Code) after expressing dissenting political views by filming a video of burning the red flag and posting it on social media. Two Protestants in Dak Lak were arrested on charges of “undermining the great unity bloc” (Article 116 of the 2015 Penal Code).

The year 2024 also saw two arrests for “disclosing state secrets”, targeting progressive government officials advocating for labor rights, continuing the crackdown on NGOs that began in 2022. Additionally, the government intensified its transnational repression of Vietnamese refugees in Thailand, notably by pressuring Thai authorities to arrest Montagnard activist Y Quynh Bdap.

Also in 2024, at least 54 people were brought to trial in first-instance or appellate courts as part of a broader effort to suppress fundamental human rights2. Among the 27 people prosecuted for anti-state propaganda or activities aimed at overthrowing the government, 11 were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 12 to 16 years. Twelve were convicted for abusing democratic freedoms, with sentences ranging from two to six years.

Seven cases of Khmer monks and Buddhists arrested on charges of “illegal detention” (Article 157) in March 2024 were tried after about seven months in pretrial detention. Six ethnic minorities in Dak Lak province were sentenced to five to seven years in prison for “destroying or intentionally damaging property” (Article 178) over a land dispute with an agricultural company.

In addition, religious activist Y Krec Bya and environmental expert Ngo Thi To Nhien were also brought to trial on charges of “undermining the solidarity policy” (Article 116) and “appropriating, trading, or destroying seals and documents of an organization” (Article 342), respectively, constituting the only two recorded cases of persecution on the above two charges.