NEW YORK (Dec. 15, 2025) – The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has received a favorable opinion from the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD), finding that prominent Vietnamese activist and blogger Nguyễn Chí Tuyến, widely known as Anh Chí, is arbitrarily detained by the Vietnamese regime, in clear violation of international human rights law.
HRF submitted a petition on Tuyến’s behalf in December 2024, documenting the lack of legal basis for his detention and the direct attack on his fundamental freedoms. Tuyến was arrested for denouncing government corruption and advocating for democratic reforms online, a peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression. In its opinion, the WGAD agreed and called for Tuyến’s immediate and unconditional release. It further urged the Vietnamese regime to take appropriate measures against those responsible for violating his rights, ensure a full and independent investigation of his case, and provide full reparations, including compensation, in accordance with international law.
Tuyến is a respected blogger known for reporting on social issues and using his popular YouTube channels to promote human rights and democracy. He is also a founding member of the No-U Football Club, an association created to protest China’s encroachment in the South China Sea. His advocacy has gained significant recognition: the Vietnam Human Rights Network honored Tuyến with the 2025 Vietnam Human Rights Award for his dedicated efforts to advance and champion the human rights of the Vietnamese people. For years before his warrantless arrest in February 2024, Tuyến’s activism made him a repeated target of state harassment, surveillance, and violent attacks.
In August 2024, after more than five months of unjustified pretrial detention and a partially closed trial, Tuyến was sentenced to five years in prison under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code for “making, storing or spreading information, materials or items for the purpose of opposing the State.”
“Vietnam routinely uses Article 117 to silence dissent and arbitrarily detain the few remaining journalists, bloggers, and activists who oppose the regime. Without a clear definition of what it means to oppose the state under Article 117, Vietnam can essentially criminalize any form of criticism, as the UN Human Rights Committee has noted,” HRF International Legal Associate Caitlin Triplett stated. “This UN decision unequivocally affirms that Nguyễn Chí Tuyến is being punished solely for his peaceful advocacy, and that the regime’s actions blatantly violate its international human rights obligations,” Triplett said. “The ruling sends a clear message to authoritarian regimes: imprisoning peaceful voices like Tuyến’s will not go unchallenged.”
Tuyến’s case underscores the urgent need for sustained international pressure to protect those who defend human rights and democratic values. HRF will continue to advocate for Tuyến’s release and stand with all prisoners of conscience in Vietnam who risk their freedom for the cause of human rights.
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies.
Supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
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