Political prisoner stages hunger strike to protect Vietnam’s constitution

Prisoner of conscience Le Trong Hung has gone on hunger strike at Prison No. 6 in Vietnam’s Nghe An province, his wife told Radio Free Asia.

Do Le Na said Thursday her husband wants to protect the country’s constitution, claiming that many officials have violated it without punishment.

The 44-year-old is known for livestreaming on Facebook and YouTube videos on controversial social and political issues, particularly land rights cases that have been at the center of controversies in Vietnam.

He was arrested in March 2021 on charges of “disseminating anti-State materials” under Article 117 of Vietnam’s Penal Code, shortly after nominating himself to run for Vietnam’s National Assembly elections in defiance of the ruling Communist Party. 

Hung was later sentenced to five years in prison and five years of probation. 

Na said her husband started his hunger strike on Sept. 3 and plans to continue until Vietnam’s Law Day on Nov. 9.

She said Hung made his plans known to her during a visit last month.

After returning to Hanoi, she sent a letter to the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, the deputy of the National Assembly’s People Relations Committee and a number of other National Assembly members to present Hung’s wishes.

“Firstly, my husband wants the competent people of the National Assembly of Vietnam as well as the National Assembly deputies to be able to come to Prison No. 6 to meet and listen to his wishes,” Na said.

“If so, he will petition the National Assembly of Vietnam to immediately establish a constitutional court. There have been quite a number of individuals, organizations and agencies in Vietnam that have seriously violated the Constitution of Vietnam.”

Na said her husband was also going on hunger strike to raise the issue of prisoners’ rights, such as the right to receive proper medical examinations and treatment, and the right to send letters to family members.

Na said her family had not received any letters from Hung for more than six months even though he had written many.

Na, a teacher at a school for disabled children in Hanoi, said her family was very worried about Hung’s health because he announced that he would only stop going on a hunger strike when the National Assembly deputies came to see him in prison.

It would be unprecedented for a National Assembly deputy to visit any political prisoner.

Recently, two activists Tran Huynh Duy Thuc and Dang Dinh Bach, who are also in Prison No. 6, said prisoners with knives threatened them.

After telling his family Bach said he was beaten by prison guards. (RFA)