Additional Name(s): Hồ Đức Hoà
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Vietnam
Ethnic Group: Kinh
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Health Concerns: Stomach Pain, abdominal pain, high blood pressure, numbness, hemorrhoids, liver pain, spinal pain, right arm weakness, fatigue
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Sentence: 13 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August//2011
Date of Sentencing: January//2013
Date of Release: May/11/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Religious Activity Religious Belief
Nature of Charges: Treason & Sedition
Ho Duc Hoa
Extra Bio Info:
Ho Duc Hoa was imprisoned in relation to his religious activity.
In late July/early August 2011, authorities arrested Hoa, a Catholic social activist, journalist, and community organizer, at the Tan Son Nhat Airport following his return from a trip abroad. Authorities accused him of being connected to an overseas group that it claimed seeks to overthrow the government.
In January 2013, Hoa was sentenced to 13 years in prison and five years' probation for allegedly "carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the People’s Administration" (Art. 79/1999 VCC).
Throughout 2019, it was reported that Hoa was suffering from a wide range of health issues, including stomach and abdominal pain, high blood pressure, numbness, hemorrhoids, liver and spinal pain, weakness in his right arm, general fatigue, and potentially liver cancer. Prison authorities also reportedly failed to provide him adequate medical care.
In December 2020, it was reported that Hoa had gone on hunger strike in protest of prison authorities allegedly not allowing him to practice his religion in prison.
On May 11, 2022, Hoa was released from prison.
Publicly Available Information:
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"Ho Duc Hoa" The 88 Project
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"Vietnam dissidents released, sent to US ahead of PM's Washington visit" Radio Free Asia (RFA)
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USCIRF Tweet May 3, 2022
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"Two Vietnamese Activists Now in Failing Health in Prison" Radio Free Asia (RFA)
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"Jailed Vietnamese Activist Ho Duc Hoa Suffering From Multiple Health Conditions: Family" Radio Free Asia (RFA)
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"List of POCs" NOW! Campaign
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"Religious Prisoners in Vietnam" Boat People SOS (BPSOS)
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"Viet Nam: List of Prisoners of Conscience" Amnesty International
Gender: Male
Current Location: An Phuoc Prison, Binh Duong
Perpetrator: Vietnam
Ethnic Group: Bahnar
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Health Concerns: High blood pressure, rheumatism, stomach inflammation
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes
Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: May/13/2013
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Proselytizing Activities Religious Activity Religious Belief Unregistered Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Subversion
Y Yich
Extra Bio Info:
Y Yich was imprisoned for his religious activity.
On May 13, 2013, authorities arrested Yich, a pastor in the Degar Protestant Church, after accusing him of spreading Degar Protestantism, a religious movement not approved by the government, communicating on the internet with Montagnard pastors and separatists living in the United States, and meeting with prisoners of conscience.
Later in 2013, Yich was sentenced to 12 years in prison and three to five years' probation for "undermining national unity policy" (Art. 87/1999 VCC).
Yich has reportedly been tortured while in prison, leading to his health deteriorating. He suffers from high blood pressure, rheumatism, and stomach inflammation. Prison authorities have also reportedly denied him adequate medical care.
Yich had been repeatedly harassed by authorities over the decades for his religious activity. He also spent time in prison between 2006 and 2011.
In May 2025, Y Yich was released from prison.
Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI) advocated for Yich as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project.
Publicly Available Information:
- Photo provided by Campaign to Abolish Torture in Vietnam
- "Y Yich" Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
- USCIRF Annual Report 2022: Vietnam
- "Montagnard Prisoners of Conscience, February 2022" Campaign to Abolish Torture in Vietnam
- "Y Yich" Project 88
- "Y Yich" Church In Chains
- USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom in Vietnam in 2021 February 7, 2022
- "Montagnard Defenders of Human Rights and Religious Freedom Serving Prison Sentences of Ten or More Years in Vietnam" Campaign to Abolish Torture in Vietnam
- "Religious Prisoners in Vietnam" Boat People SOS (BPSOS)
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: China
Religion or Belief: Falun Gong
Reports of Torture: Yes
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Rejected
Sentence: 3 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: June//2019
Date of Sentencing: November//2019
Current Status: Unknown
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Distributing Religious Materials Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Lei Anxiang
Extra Bio Info:
Lei Anxiang was imprisoned for his religious activity.
In June 2019, authorities arrested Lei after accusing him of handing out Falun Gong-related materials.
In November 2019, the Beihu District Court sentenced Lei to three years in prison and fined him 5,000 yuan.
In December 2019, the Chenzhou City Intermediate Court reportedly rejected Lei's appeal.
Lei's sentence should have ended in June 2022.
Lei has reportedly been arrested previously and tortured for his adherence to Falun Gong.