Vietnamese activist Pham Van Troi told Radio Free Asia he had no regrets about fighting for democracy, after coming to the end of a seven-year sentence for “activities aimed at overthrowing the government.”
Troi, 52, a former president of the Brotherhood for Democracy, was arrested on July 30, 2017, with two other members of the group, Nguyen Trung Ton and Truong Minh Duc, and former member Nguyen Bac Truyen.
Police had earlier arrested group members Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thu Ha on the same charges.
The Brotherhood for Democracy was founded in April 2013 saying it aimed “to defend human rights recognized by the Vietnam Constitution and international conventions” and “promote the building of a democratic, progressive, civilized, and just society for Vietnam.”
On April 5, 2018, the activists were sentenced to prison terms ranging from seven to 15 years, which were upheld at an appeal hearing two months later.
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Having come to the end of his prison term, Troi said he did not regret what he did even though he and his family had suffered.
“Dare to do. Dare to take responsibility,” he said. ”Whoever commits must accept imprisonment, give up benefits, and overcome fear.”
Troi added that he and other inmates at Nam Ha prison were forced to work eight hours a day, five days a week, despite poor health, with no pay.
Guards refused to let him share his English textbooks with inmates who wanted to study, he said. He was also prevented from sharing medical equipment he had obtained to monitor his diabetes and high blood pressure.
“In Vietnam’s prisons now, it is even more terrible than before,” he said. “For example, the food and drinks are very poor … books and documents are controlled and restricted … there are also many restrictions on medical examination and treatment.”
Troi is being monitored by police while he serves probation.
He said his health had deteriorated significantly and he planned to seek treatment to help him try to recover.
Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.