Government declares human rights organisation as a terrorist group

The Vietnamese government has declared the Vietnamese-American human rights organisation Boat People SOS (BPSOS) as a terrorist organisation.

In a press release dated 14 February and issued on state-controlled media, BPSOS and its senior leadership were derided for ‘assisting organisations and individuals participating in anti-Vietnam activities.’ The article went on to explicitly name BPSOS as a terrorist organisation and describe its president, chief operating officer and chief financial officer as terrorists. The article published the home address of BPSOS president Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang.

The authorities justified this by citing legal advice and support BPSOS has provided to one of the co-founders of Montagnards Stand for Justice, Y Quynh Bdap. Mr Bdap is currently facing extradition to Vietnam from Thailand after being charged in absentia on terrorism-related charges for which he is facing ten years in prison.

Mr Bdap’s trial has been described by United Nations experts as having occurred in a setting that did not meet fair trial guarantees under international law.

BPSOS is a Vietnamese-American human rights organisation that was founded in the 1980s to assist refugees fleeing Vietnam. BPSOS provides assistance to victims of human rights violations in Vietnam, trains civil society on their protections under international law, protects Vietnamese asylum seekers in neighbouring countries, and supports victims of human trafficking around the globe.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: ‘Dr Nguyen Dinh Thang is a friend of mine. He is no terrorist. He is a champion of human rights, in particular the right to freedom of religion or belief. The fact that he has been targeted like this is a sign that his voice is reaching the ears of the Vietnamese authorities, who are now attempting to silence and intimidate him. This will not work; this designation is a badge of honour; his tireless efforts are getting under the skin of an authoritarian regime that does not allow for dissent or criticism. The international community must hold Vietnam to account.’

Note to Editors:

1. Montagnards Stand for Justice is a human rights organisation that was founded in Thailand and specialises in defending the rights of the Montagnard minority ethnic group.