There is a deeply concerning trend of arbitrary imprisonment threatening climate champions in Vietnam under the vague application of Vietnam’s tax laws. In the last two years, 5 prominent Vietnamese activists have been imprisoned, including Hoang Thi Minh Hong, founder of the environmental group CHANGE VN and Obama Foundation Scholar, and environmental justice lawyer Mr. Dang Dinh Bach who is serving a five year sentence. This comes as Vietnam grapples with unprecedented heatwaves and earlier this year became a recipient of a $15.5 billion JETP (Just Energy Transition Partnership) aimed at facilitating a just transition away from fossil fuels.
This injustice is occurring against the backdrop of the strengthening of diplomatic ties between the United States and Vietnam, announced during Biden’s recent visit to Hanoi. Vietnam is also seeking renewed membership to the Human Rights Council in December, a move which would represent a deep hypocrisy amid the continued incarceration of some of the country’s most prominent leaders in civil society. This comes as Vietnam grapples with unprecedented heatwaves and earlier this year became a recipient of a $15.5 billion JETP (Just Energy Transition Partnership) aimed at facilitating a just transition away from fossil fuels.
The persecution of climate leaders stands in direct opposition to Vietnam’s JETP partnership, an agreement which would have not been achievable without the brave work of climate defenders in the country, and whose implementation will be severely hindered without the inclusion of civil society.