A coalition of almost 35 human rights organizations has appealed to the Prime Minister of Thailand on behalf of a Vietnamese activist who is facing extradition to Vietnam for terrorism-related charges, insisting that he could suffer torture if he returns.
Y Quynh Bdap, a recognized refugee under UN protections in Thailand, was arrested by Thai officials back in June due to a request from Vietnam while he was pursuing asylum in Canada. He is currently being detained in Bangkok while waiting for extradition proceedings to unfold.
In a letter directed to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and other officials, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, advocacy groups including Amnesty International expressed grave concerns over Bdap’s safety, stating he is at significant risk of torture, indefinite detention, or severe violations of his human rights if sent back to Vietnam.
According to Jirayu Houngsub, a spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, they had not yet received the letter and had no immediate comments regarding its contents.
Bdap, aged 32, is one of the founders of the Montagnards Stand for Justice movement. He fled from Vietnam in 2018 due to ongoing persecution against the Montagnard ethnic group, who are predominantly Christian and have been subject to suppression in Vietnam. Bdap’s organization works to safeguard the rights of Montagnards, offering training in both international and Vietnamese law, as well as documentation of human rights abuses, actions that made him a target for the Vietnamese government.
In January, Bdap was sentenced in absentia to ten years in prison in Vietnam after being accused of organizing anti-government protests in Dak Lak province, which resulted in numerous deaths, including those of police officers. A court in Bangkok ruled in September for his extradition, although Bdap is currently appealing that decision.
Prior to his arrest, Bdap had gone into hiding in Thailand after receiving warnings about inquiries from Vietnamese authorities and released a video stating he was not involved in the violence attributed to the riots. He emphasized his role as a human rights advocate focused on peaceful activism and documentation of abuses in Vietnam.
In the January trials in Vietnam, approximately 100 individuals were charged related to protests against government actions, with many receiving sentences under terrorism laws. In response to international criticism regarding these trials, Vietnamese officials claimed their actions were necessary to combat terrorism.
The coalition of organizations pointed out that U.N. experts have raised alarms that these trials may have had political motivations, as Bdap was not in Vietnam at the time of the alleged incidents. They further highlighted Thailand’s recent election to the U.N. Human Rights Council and how this creates obligations for the Thai government to adhere to human rights standards.
Prakaidao Phurksakasemsuk from the Cross Cultural Foundation, which co-signed the letter, stated that the outcome of Bdap’s situation is critical in gauging Thailand’s commitment to human rights and called for him to be allowed to seek refuge in a safer country.
Phil Robertson, director of the Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates, emphasized that Bdap should be granted bail while his appeal is pending so he can reunite with his wife and three young children. He condemned the detention of a father who has sought asylum, labeling the accusations brought forth by Vietnam as politically motivated.
