Vietnamese activist and YouTuber Anh Chi sentenced to five years in prison amidst international outcry

Nguyen Chi Tuyen, better known by his online alias Anh Chi, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Hanoi People’s Court after a swift five-hour trial on 15 August 2024.

Anh Chi, a prominent Vietnamese activist and YouTuber, was found guilty of “propaganda against the state” under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code, a charge that has been widely condemned by international human rights organizations.

Anh Chi, 50, was arrested on 29 February 2024 in what many view as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Vietnam.

His social media presence, including his two YouTube channels—AC Media and Anh Chi Rau Den—has made him a formidable voice in the fight for land rights, environmental protection, and political freedoms in Vietnam. Combined, these channels have nearly 160,000 subscribers, and his Facebook page has garnered over 40,000 followers.

A Voice for Change

Anh Chi first came to public attention in 2015 when he participated in protests that successfully pressured the Vietnamese government to abandon a controversial plan to cut down 7,000 trees in Hanoi.

This activism laid the foundation for his role in subsequent movements, including protests against a massive fish kill in 2016 caused by industrial waste dumping.

He also emerged as a prominent critic of China’s nine-dash line policy in the South China Sea, which encroaches on Vietnam’s maritime territory. To circumvent government restrictions on assembly, Anh Chi and his colleagues formed a football club named No-U FC—a symbolic nod to their opposition to China’s U-shaped demarcation line in the disputed waters.

Anh Chi has consistently used social media as a tool to amplify his activism, emphasizing the platform’s importance in giving a voice to the otherwise voiceless in Vietnam.

“Social media is a very important tool for us. We have only that tool to express our opinions, to exchange ideas, to connect each other,” Anh Chi said in a 2017 interview with Mekong Review. “Without social media, it would be a big challenge for us.”

International Condemnation

The sentencing of Anh Chi has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and advocates worldwide. Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, condemned the Vietnamese government’s actions, stating, “Vietnam’s authorities have targeted Nguyen Chi Tuyen for expressing views they don’t like. The government should stop jailing peaceful critics, repeal its draconian penal laws, and end the systematic violation of basic rights.”

Gossman further warned that Vietnam’s international relations could suffer due to its ongoing human rights abuses. “The Vietnamese government will remain mired in oppression so long as it continues to lock up dissidents like Nguyen Chi Tuyen who dare to speak their minds,” she said. “Vietnam’s international donors and trade partners shouldn’t have any illusions when dealing with this rights-abusing government.”

Anh Chi’s conviction is the latest in a series of actions by the Vietnamese government aimed at suppressing dissent.

The 88 Project, a civil society organization that monitors political repression in Vietnam, reported that from 2018 to 2023, at least 330 individuals were arrested on political charges. The organization highlighted Anh Chi’s arrest as part of an escalating trend where the government not only targets anti-state dissidents but also criminalizes policy activism and places severe restrictions on civil society.

A Chilling Effect

The impact of Anh Chi’s sentencing is expected to reverberate throughout Vietnam’s activist community. Former prisoner of conscience Le Anh Hung, who was once jailed for his peaceful activism, warned of the chilling effect this case could have on others who might otherwise speak out.

In an interview with Radio Free Asia Vietnamese, Hung stated, “This is clearly an unjust sentence for someone who peacefully speaks out for the country’s progress. Arrests and sentences like this will make people hesitant and afraid to speak up. No country or nation can grow or develop when its people have to live in fear.”

Anh Chi’s legal team has vowed to continue fighting for his release, describing the sentence as “inappropriate” and indicative of the Vietnamese government’s broader strategy to silence opposition. They are currently exploring the possibility of filing an appeal.

Calls for Release

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) has also condemned the sentencing, calling for Anh Chi’s immediate release.

Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA, noted that Vietnam’s actions are in direct violation of its international obligations. “Vietnam has been a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since 1982 and guarantees freedom of expression under Article 25 of its Constitution. The sentencing of Anh Chi starkly contradicts these obligations. We call on the Vietnamese Government to immediately release Anh Chi and to uphold people’s freedom of expression and right to information.”

Ongoing Repression

Anh Chi’s arrest and conviction are part of a broader pattern of repression in Vietnam, where the government has increasingly targeted individuals who challenge its authority.

Despite the risks, Anh Chi and others like him continue to advocate for a more open and democratic Vietnam. As Vietnam’s authorities intensify their efforts to silence dissent, the international community’s response will be crucial in determining whether voices like Anh Chi’s will continue to be heard.

Anh Chi’s case has now become emblematic of the struggle for human rights in Vietnam, highlighting the ongoing tension between the state and those who dare to challenge it.