Free Lê Đình Lượng - FREEDOM IS IMPRISONED IN VIETNAM

FREEDOM IS IMPRISONED IN VIETNAM

Le Đình Lượng is a Vietnamese activist and citizen journalist who was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 5 years of house arrest in August 2018 for alleged activities “aimed at overthrowing the state”.

🧑‍⚖️ Arrest and Charges
Arrested on July 24, 2017, while returning from visiting the wife of another imprisoned activist.
Charged under Article 79 of Vietnam’s Penal Code, which is often used to silence dissent.

📢 Activism
Advocated for environmental justice after the 2016 Formosa marine disaster.
Supported fishermen and farmers affected by government policies.
Reported for outlets like Good News for the Poor and Catholic Youth.
Actively campaigned for the release of political prisoners and spoke out against harassment of activists.

⚖️ Trial and Sentencing
Held incommunicado for a year before meeting his lawyer.
Trial lasted just five hours, with no defense witnesses allowed.
Convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison, one of the harshest penalties for a peaceful activist in Vietnam.

🌍 International Reaction
Human Rights Watch called the verdict “absolutely outrageous”.
The U.S. State Department and European Union criticized the trial as a violation of international human rights obligations.
Reporters Without Borders condemned the sentence as part of a broader crackdown on free expression.
Luong’s case is emblematic of Vietnam’s treatment of human rights defenders, where peaceful activism is often met with severe punishment.