Thai court rejects Montagnard human rights activist’s appeal against extradition

Vietnamese human rights defender Y Quynh Bdap lost his appeal challenging a Thai court’s ruling that he could be sent back to Vietnam, where he is facing various terrorism charges, on 26 November.

Bdap is the founder of the Montagnard Stand for Justice (MSFJ) human rights organisation, which was designated a terrorist group by Vietnamese state media on 6 March 2024. Prior to the designation, Bdap had been charged in absentia along with nearly 100 other members of the Montagnard ethnic group in connection to various terrorism-related charges.

Bdap has been recognised as a refugee by the United Nations Refugee Agency, however in September 2024 a judge ruled that he could be returned to Vietnam in a hearing attended by various human rights observers, local and international NGOs, representatives of several embassies, and staff from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Bdap’s defence team appealed the decision, arguing that he would almost certainly face torture if he were to be returned to Vietnam, however in the hearing on 26 November – of which Bdap’s team was only notified 24 hours previously – the court held that Bdap had not provided sufficiently strong evidence for this, claiming that Vietnam had given assurances that he would not be mistreated.

The decision on whether to sign and enact the extradition order now lies with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. If Bdap is extradited, he will be separated from his wife and five children (adopted and biological), one of whom requires additional care for complex learning needs.

CSW’s CEO Scot Bower said: ‘CSW wholeheartedly disagrees with the Thai authorities’ decision to reject Y Quynh Bdap’s appeal. Vietnam’s assurances that Bdap will not be mistreated if returned to the country count for very little in light of the countless testimonies of human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience who have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment in Vietnam’s prisons. We implore Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul not to authorise this extradition order, and we call on other governments to assist in resettling Bdap and his family in a safe third country as a matter of urgency.’

Note to Editors:

1. The majority of Vietnam’s Montagnard community are Christians and live in the country’s central highlands. The community has a long history of conflict with the Vietnamese government and have faced intense harassment and intimidation since a June 2023 attack on provincial Communist party offices in Dak Lak that left nine dead, including local party officials and police.