Explosive Revelation: Vietnam's Climate Activist Faces Shocking Tax Charges, US Expresses Outrage
US denounces Vietnam's imprisonment of renowned climate activist on fabricated tax charges, dismissing the verdict as a blatant violation of human rights
The jailing of one of Vietnam's prominent environmental activists for tax fraud has been condemned by the US State Department. Human rights activists have deemed the ruling as a "total sham." Hoang Thi Minh Hong, a leader in environmental campaigns in the communist country for over ten years, was sentenced to three years in prison by a court in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday. Her lawyer, Nguyen Van Tu, stated that she evaded approximately $280,000 in taxes.
The United States expressed grave concern over her incarceration and emphasized its demand for Vietnam to release all individuals detained unlawfully. They further urged Vietnam to uphold the right to freedom of speech and association. According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, NGO leaders such as Hoang Thi Minh Hong are crucial to addressing worldwide issues, offering sustainable approaches in combatting climate change, and combating the trafficking of wildlife and timber.
Vietnams opaque legal system has come under increased criticism from Western observers this year, even as the Southeast Asian country draws closer to the United States.
US President Joe Biden is set to address the press in Hanoi on September 10, 2023, marking the outset of his visit to Vietnam. The aim of Biden's trip is to enhance collaboration between the two countries, particularly in response to China's expanding aspirations in the area. Image: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.
The European Parliaments Subcommittee of Human Rights expressed deep concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Vietnam during their visit to Hanoi in April. They specifically called for the release of "political prisoners," comprising of NGO leaders, journalists, and environmental activists, as reported by Reuters.
The court's ruling coincides with the recent state visit of US President Joe Biden to Vietnam, where he strengthened diplomatic relations between the two nations. This development holds immense importance considering the complex history between Washington and Hanoi.
"Vietnam and the United States are crucial allies during this pivotal moment," stated Biden during his visit, emphasizing the significance of their partnership in addressing climate change. "I am not expressing mere politeness, but rather a genuine heartfelt sentiment."
Total sham
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), Hong was the founder of CHANGE, an environmental advocacy organization she established in 2013 to tackle issues related to climate change, pollution, and the endangered wildlife in Vietnam.
In 2018, HRW reported that Hong was one of the twelve international activists chosen to receive a grant from the inaugural Obama Foundation Scholars Program at Columbia University. A biography page on the foundation's website states that Hong has devoted her efforts to educating and mobilizing young leaders in the pursuit of a more environmentally sustainable world.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) emphasizes the significance of her cause as they classify Vietnam as one of the world's most susceptible nations to climate change. According to USAID's website, the country's 96 million individuals and economic resources, primarily located along its extensive and densely populated coastline, face constant perils from typhoons, floods, droughts, and landslides.
On Monday, November 11, 2019, Australian citizen Chau Van Kham appeared before a court in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He was escorted into the courtroom and subsequently sentenced to a twelve-year jail term for engaging in acts of "terrorism in opposition to the people's administration." (Photo: Nguyen Thanh Chung/VNA via AP)
Nguyen Thanh Chung/VNA/AP
Australian retiree accused of terrorism freed from prison in Vietnam
Rights groups claim that the trial of Hong, which concluded within half a day, exemplifies the Vietnamese government's misuse of the law to pursue political persecution. Amnesty International criticized the verdict, stating that it hampers Vietnam's efforts in addressing a significant global issue. They further stated that Hong is the fifth well-known environmentalist to be charged with tax evasion in Vietnam over the past two years.
Ben Swanton, the co-director of The 88 Project, an organization that advocates for human rights in Vietnam, described her trial as a complete farce. He argued that this instance is yet another illustration of the law being manipulated to carry out political oppression.
