Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday called for the release of two imprisoned activists, Can Thi Theu and Le Dinh Luong, who are suffering from serious medical issues.

According to HRW, Can Thi Theu and Le Dinh Luong have not received sufficient medical assistance in prison. Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at HRW, declared that “the Vietnamese authorities should immediately release Can Thi Theu and Le Dinh Luong, or at least give them prompt access to the medical care they need.”

Can Thi Theu, aged 63, is a land rights activist serving an eight-year prison sentence due to her active involvement in “protests against land confiscation and environmental degradation, and for publicly voicing support for other human rights activists and political prisoners.” Prior to her arrest, she and her family were vital in strengthening the voices of the community of Dong Tam commune. Following a police raid in January 2020, which caused the death of a farmer and three policemen, the family commented on the brutal land clash in a report. Can Thi Theu was convicted for “conducting propaganda against the state” under Article 117 of the Vietnamese penal code. HRW reported that she was hospitalized for two days due to abdominal pain and fever in July. Since August, she has continued to be in pain and suffers from serious exhaustion.

Le Dinh Luong, aged 59, is an activist who visits “former political prisoners upon their release from prison, as well as the families of people imprisoned for campaigning for democracy and human rights.” He is currently serving a twenty-year prison sentence and was convicted for conducting activities “to overthrow the people’s administration” under Article 79 of the Vietnamese penal code. HRW reported that Le Dinh Luong suffers from spinal degeneration and chronic stomach pain and embarked on a hunger strike to protest the treatment of his health while incarcerated.

HRW emphasized that Rule 27 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) affords prisoners the right to medical assistance in critical situations. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) has also confirmed this right by emphasizing that “prisoners shall have access to the health services available in the country without discrimination on the grounds of their legal situation.”

Previously, HRW has argued that the arrest and sentencing of activists was part of a broader campaign to silence dissent by peaceful means. In 2024, UN experts also condemned the imprisonment of activists who peacefully criticize the government and stated that “deprivation of liberty and mistreatment in prison should not be used as a tool by the Vietnamese government to silence human right defenders and civil society members working on sensitive issues.” Additionally, the experts expressed concern about the “chilling effect” this could have on the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression in Vietnam.