Vietnam’s government has increasingly cracked down on dissent, using Article 331 of its penal code to silence not only activists but also ordinary citizens who raise concerns about local officials, corruption, religious freedom, or poor public services. The law, vaguely defined as “infringing on state interests,” is being used to punish peaceful expression, particularly on social media. Since 2018, courts have sentenced at least 124 individuals to prison under this article, a sharp increase from previous years. Those targeted include people protesting police abuse, hosting political discussions online, or speaking out against ethnic discrimination. Sentences range from two to four years. The trend shows an expanding effort to suppress free expression despite Vietnam’s growing global presence and commitments. The rights situation is worsening, with limited tolerance for criticism and increasing repression across all levels of society.
Pray for the authorities to uphold the justice, rights, and freedoms of the civil society in Vietnam. Pray for the lawmakers to cancel the oppressive laws that impact the fundamental rights and beliefs system in the country (The Holy Bible, Psalm 43:1).
Pray for freedom of speech and expression in Vietnam. Pray for the immediate and unconditional release of all the imprisoned victims (The Holy Bible, Psalm 102:19-21).
News Source: Human Rights Watch
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