Additional Name(s): Nguyễn Bắc Truyển

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Vietnam

Ethnic Group: Kinh

Religion or Belief: Buddhist – Hoa Hao

Health Concerns: Gastrointestinal and heart conditions, gout, back pain

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 11 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/30/2017

Date of Sentencing: April/5/2018

Date of Release: September/8/2023

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Legal Work for Religious Communities Religious Freedom Advocacy Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Treason & Sedition

Nguyen Bac Truyen

Extra Bio Info:

Nguyen Bac Truyen was imprisoned for his religious freedom and human rights advocacy.

On July 30, 2017, Truyen, a lawyer and leader of the Vietnamese Political & Religious Prisoners Friendship Association, was forcibly disappeared and held incommunicado for three weeks, despite state media reporting he had been arrested. Truyen was reportedly targeted because of his human rights and religious freedom advocacy, particularly on behalf of Hoa Hao Buddhists.

On April 5, 2018, Truyen was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment and 3 years of house arrest for "carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the People’s Administration" (Art. 79/1999 VCC). 

On June 4, 2018, Truyen's appeal was rejected.

In October 2022, authorities transferred Truyen to Gia Trung prison in Gia Lai Province, where he was reportedly subjected to forced labor.

On September 8, 2023, Truyen was released from prison.

Truyen reportedly suffers from gastrointestinal and heart conditions, gout, and back pain exacerbated by inhumane living conditions in prison. He has also been denied adequate medical care.  Truyen has also gone on hunger strike while imprisoned. 

Truyen is married. 

Truyen previously served three years and six months in prison in relation to his legal work against government land grabs. 

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) advocated for Truyen as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project. 

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