Nguyen Bac Truyen awarded Stefanus Prize
Christian Solidarity Worldwide | 20 Oct 2020
Imprisoned Vietnamese human rights activist Nguyen Bac Truyen has been awarded
the Stefanus Prize 2020 for his work promoting human rights in Vietnam,
including freedom of religion or belief.
The Stefanus Prize was established by the ecumenical Norwegian mission and the
human rights organisation Stefanus Alliance International, and is awarded every
other year to individuals who have "made an outstanding contribution to promote
freedom of religion and belief (FoRB) in particular, and human rights in
general."
Nguyen Bac Truyen is a Hoa Hao Buddhist and legal expert who has provided pro
bono legal assistance to families of political prisoners, victims of land grabs,
and persecuted religious communities. He was abducted by the Vietnamese police
on 30 July 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City and held in incommunicado arbitrary
detention in Hanoi until his trial.
In April 2018 he was charged with 'carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing
the government' under Article 79 of the Vietnamese penal code and sentenced to
11 years in prison. During his imprisonment, concerns have been raised for
Truyen's health. In August 2020, a group of 62 parliamentarians from around the
world signed onto an open letter calling for Truyen's immediate and
unconditional release.
In a press release by Stefanus Alliance announcing the award, Ed Brown,
secretary general of Stefanus Alliance International said:
"We are very happy with the decision of
the committee to award the Stefanus Prize to Nguyen Bac Truyen. He has
experienced how difficult it is both to be a minority and to stand up for the
rights for religious minorities in Vietnam. He is a well-deserved winner of the
award."
Truyen's wife, Bui Thi Kim Phuong said:
"On behalf of the family and my husband, I would like to sincerely thank you for
choosing Nguyen Bac Truyen for the Stefanus Prize. It is a great honour for
Nguyen Bac Truyen to be recognized with the Stefanus Prize. I also feel greatly
honoured, and I am moved by this wonderful news. Thank you for your dedicated
efforts in your work for the release of my husband. The friendly care is a great
motivation and a great encouragement for us. We do not feel alone and forgotten
and ask for continued support."
CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas said:
"CSW congratulates Nguyen Bac Truyen on winning the Stefanus Prize, which we
hope will draw further international attention to his vital work promoting human
rights, including freedom of religion or belief, in Vietnam, at such great
personal cost. His courage and commitment to protecting the rights of some of
the most vulnerable people in society is an inspiration to us all. It is our
hope that the prize will add even more weight to calls by his family and
supporters for Truyen's immediate and unconditional release from prison."
Vietnam Human Rights Network |