Quynh Bdap was one of the founders Montagnards Stand for Justice
Vietnamese authorities have asked the family of an ethnic Ede activist Hanoi convicted of “terrorism” in absentia to convince him to surrender instead of appealing the decision to extradite him from Thailand later this month, his family told RFA.
A human rights expert told RFA that Vietnam might be attempting orchestrating a “surrender show,” so authorities can tell the public that he and his family agreed that he should return on his own volition, rather than going through with the trial.
Y Quynh Bdap fled with his family to Thailand in 2018 to escape religious persecution.
As a member of the Ede ethnic minority, he is classified as a Montagnard, a term used to describe members of mainly Christian minority groups who live in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
Bdap’s grandfather, like many Montagnards, worked with the U.S. military that fought alongside South Vietnamese forces in the 20-year war won by North Vietnam in 1975.
Y Quynh Bdap was granted refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, but was arrested by Thai police in mid-2024 following an extradition request from Vietnam.
If extradited to Vietnam, Y Quynh Bdap faces a 10-year prison sentence for “terrorism,” a charge issued in absentia by the Dak Lak People’s Court in January 2024.
Authorities allege he played a role in directing attacks on two government offices that resulted in nine deaths. The activist has consistently denied these allegations.
In late September 2024, the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled that he should be extradited to Vietnam. The court also gave the Thai government 90 days to enforce the decision.
Y Quynh Bdap in undated photo (Y Quynh Bdap via Facebook)
On Thursday, Y Quynh Bdap’s attorney Nadthasiri Bergman told RFA that her team was waiting to submit the appeal against the extradition order but provided no further details.
Call to surrender
On Wednesday, Y Phô Êban, the activist’s father, told RFA that an inter-agency group of representatives from the Dak Lak provincial government had visited the family of Y Quynh Bdap’s wife on December 25.
They handed his father-in-law a document titled “Letter Calling on the Wanted to Surrender,” and asked the family to “actively encourage Y Quynh Bdap to give himself up to receive leniency.” (RFA)
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January 20, 2025
Vietnam asks Y Quynh Bdap’s family to urge his surrender ahead of appeal trial
by Defend the Defenders • [Human Rights]
Quynh Bdap was one of the founders Montagnards Stand for Justice
Vietnamese authorities have asked the family of an ethnic Ede activist Hanoi convicted of “terrorism” in absentia to convince him to surrender instead of appealing the decision to extradite him from Thailand later this month, his family told RFA.
A human rights expert told RFA that Vietnam might be attempting orchestrating a “surrender show,” so authorities can tell the public that he and his family agreed that he should return on his own volition, rather than going through with the trial.
Y Quynh Bdap fled with his family to Thailand in 2018 to escape religious persecution.
As a member of the Ede ethnic minority, he is classified as a Montagnard, a term used to describe members of mainly Christian minority groups who live in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
Bdap’s grandfather, like many Montagnards, worked with the U.S. military that fought alongside South Vietnamese forces in the 20-year war won by North Vietnam in 1975.
Y Quynh Bdap was granted refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, but was arrested by Thai police in mid-2024 following an extradition request from Vietnam.
If extradited to Vietnam, Y Quynh Bdap faces a 10-year prison sentence for “terrorism,” a charge issued in absentia by the Dak Lak People’s Court in January 2024.
Authorities allege he played a role in directing attacks on two government offices that resulted in nine deaths. The activist has consistently denied these allegations.
In late September 2024, the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled that he should be extradited to Vietnam. The court also gave the Thai government 90 days to enforce the decision.
On Thursday, Y Quynh Bdap’s attorney Nadthasiri Bergman told RFA that her team was waiting to submit the appeal against the extradition order but provided no further details.
Call to surrender
On Wednesday, Y Phô Êban, the activist’s father, told RFA that an inter-agency group of representatives from the Dak Lak provincial government had visited the family of Y Quynh Bdap’s wife on December 25.
They handed his father-in-law a document titled “Letter Calling on the Wanted to Surrender,” and asked the family to “actively encourage Y Quynh Bdap to give himself up to receive leniency.” (RFA)