Le Dinh Luong Was Sentenced To 20 Years in Prison, 5 Years of House Arrest Due To Human Rights Work in Vietnam
Correa’s Remarks on the House Floor
WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46), a member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and Co-Chair of the Congressional Vietnam Caucus, announced that he has adopted the case of imprisoned Vietnamese human rights defender Le Dinh Luong. Correa also delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives highlighting this announcement.
Photo of Le Dinh Luong
“Mr. Le is a peaceful activist and veteran who has dedicated his life to his countrymen. He was prosecuted for peacefully campaigning for compensation of Vietnamese fishermen affected by the Formosa environmental disaster. His solitary confinement violates not only Vietnam’s own laws, but also the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” Correa said. “In adopting this case, I am committed to working with the State Department and human rights organizations to advocate for an end to Mr. Le’s solitary confinement, allow him to practice his religion in prison, allow him to receive appropriate medical care, and finally, to consider his early release.”
BACKGROUND: Le Dinh Luong is a pro-democracy human rights defender who has participated in campaigns to support imprisoned activists in Vietnam. Le has actively used social media to highlight human rights violations and protect victims of the 2016 Formosa environmental disaster. He was arrested on July 24, 2017, and charged with subversion because of his human rights work and association with pro-democracy group Viet Tan. On August 26, 2018, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 5 years of house arrest. He is currently serving his sentence at Nam Ha Prison, Ha Nam Province.
Photo of Le Dinh Luong, December 2015.
You can learn more about Le Dinh Luong’s case HERE. You can learn more about Prisoners of Conscience HERE.
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