Tran Huu Duc (born June 8, 1988)[1] is a computer science student [2] at the Vietnam-German Vocational Technical College of Nghe An [3]. He is also a social activist, advocating for the rights of the poor [4] and orphans [5]. He is a member of the Catholic Redemptorist community and has been speaking up against police abuse towards students participating in religious activities. [6] On 2 August 2011, the Nghe An police kidnapped Tran Huu Duc along with his cousin, Dau Van Duong. [7] After being imprisoned without trial for over nine months, the provincial People’s court tried Tran Huu Duc and three others on 24 May 2012. Tran Huu Duc received a 39-month prison sentence and probation for a year after release. [8] Tran Huu Duc is one of seventeen other human rights defenders (mostly from the city of Vinh) who have been arrested in a government crackdown on religious activists that began on 30 July 2011. [9]

Social Activist

According to the Vietnam Redemptorist News (VRNs), Tran Huu Duc is a vocal advocate for justice. He has come to the defense of other human rights defenders such as Father Nguyen Van Ly and lawyer Cu Huy Ha Vu. [10] He has also supported the Redemptorist Thai Ha church in Hanoi, which holds prayer vigils and calls for the safety of imprisoned activists.

Tran Huu Duc fights for the life of unborn babies and has volunteered to help the poor, orphans, and victims of natural disasters. [11]

Kidnapped and Detained

On 2 August 2011, the Nghe An police force took Tran Huu Duc, Dau Van Duong, and Nguyen Hoang Phong in for questioning. Nguyen Hoang Phong was released in the evening [12], but the whereabouts of Tran Huu Duc and Dau Van Duong were unknown. The family was not informed about Duc’s arrest. After a few weeks oThe court proceedings began at 7am on 24 May 2012. Outside of the court, family, friends, and supporters gathered in protest against the trial, holding such signs that state, “My friends are innocent” [15], “My child is innocent.”[16] Three hours after the trial began, all four were found guilty of violating article 88 of the penal code “conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.” Tran Huu Duc received a 39-month prison sentence and probation for a year after release.

Trial

Tran Huu Duc, Dau Van Duong, Hoang Phong, and Chu Manh Son were tried together on 24 May 2012. The family did not receive a formal notice from the court, but only found out about the court date after visiting the four youths in prison on 17 May 2012, a week before the trial. [14]

[1] “Tran Huu Duc: Voices of Conscience.” Viet Tan. January 20, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.viettan.org/Tran-Huu-Duc.html

[2] “Tran Huu Duc: Voices of Conscience.” Viet Tan. January 20, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.viettan.org/Tran-Huu-Duc.html

[3] “Vietnam: Free Catholic Activists.” Human Rights Watch. May 22, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/05/22/vietnam-free-catholic-activists

[4] “Trả đũa một bài viết, chiến dịch bắt người trái pháp luật của công an Việt Nam.” VRNs. August 08, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.chuacuuthe.com/archives/14324

[5] “Vietnam: Free Catholic Activists.” Human Rights Watch. May 22, 2012. Retrieved June 13, f being unable to get information about Duc from the police office in Nghe An, his family had to go directly to the Nghi Kim Detention Center where he was supposedly held. His mother presented a photo of Duc, and the police finally acknowledged they had Tran Huu Duc in custody. [13]

[6] “Tran Huu Duc: Voices of Conscience.” Viet Tan. January 20, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.viettan.org/Tran-Huu-Duc.html

[7] “Trả đũa một bài viết, chiến dịch bắt người trái pháp luật của công an Việt Nam.” VRNs. August 08, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.chuacuuthe.com/archives/14324

[8] “Tường thuật trực tiếp ngoài phiên toà xét xử 4 thanh niên Công giáo.” VRNs. May 24, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.chuacuuthe.com/archives/31852

[9] Vietnam: Free Religious Activists Immediately.” Human Rights Watch. September 30, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2012. http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/09/30/vietnam-free-religious-activists-immediately

[10] “Hai anh em bạn Dì: Đậu Văn Dương và Trần Hữu Đức.” VRNs. December 28, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2012. http://www.chuacuuthe.com/archives/24076

[11] “Vietnam: Free Catholic Activists.” Human Rights Watch. May 22, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/05/22/vietnam-free-catholic-activists

[12] “Trả đũa một bài viết, chiến dịch bắt người trái pháp luật của công an Việt Nam.” VRNs. August 08, 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2012. http://www.chuacuuthe.com/archives/14324

[13] “Hai anh em bạn Dì: Đậu Văn Dương và Trần Hữu Đức.” VRNs. December 28, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2012. http://www.chuacuuthe.com/archives/24076

[14] “Phiên tòa xét xử 4 thanh niên Công giáo ngày 24 tháng 5.” VRNs. May 15, 2012. Retrieved June 14, 2012. http://www.chuacuuthe.com/archives/31489

[15] “Tường thuật trực tiếp ngoài phiên toà xét xử 4 thanh niên Công giáo.” VRNs. May 24,