Viet Tan is proud to announce that the 2023 Le Dinh Luong Human Rights Award goes to Human Rights Defender Truong Van Dung. The theme of this year’s award is: “75 Years of International Human Rights — Freedom, Equality & Justice for Vietnam.”
Established in 2018, this annual human rights award is named after activist Le Dinh Luong, who made significant efforts to fight for the rights of the people and the sovereignty of the country. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Vietnamese government in August 2018.
The Le Dinh Luong Human Rights Award honors the sacrifices of individuals and organizations tirelessly fighting for the protection of human rights in Vietnam.
The award ceremony will take place this year on December 10 in Paris, France.
Truong Van Dung is recognized as a courageous and passionate advocate for democracy and human rights. He is affectionately known as someone willing to be on the frontlines, whether that be at a peaceful protest against China or to support victims of repression and injustices, such as political prisoners and dispossessed individuals.
Despite harassment and intimidation from security forces, Truong Van Dung resiliently fought for freedom, equality, and justice for the Vietnamese people.
The 6-year prison sentence has not dampened his spirit. While in arbitrary detention, he continues to speak out alongside other political prisoners about the human rights abuses by prison guards.
When asked why he participates in activities for civil liberties and human rights, Truong Van Dung said: “I want our people to enjoy human rights like in civilized countries. To introduce these rights to our people, we must take the lead, even if it means imprisonment.”
It is precisely because of this selfless sense of sacrifice for Vietnam that the selection panel of the Le Dinh Luong Human Rights Award voted Truong Van Dung as the recipient of this year’s award.
We sincerely thank the members of the selection panel:
- Ms. Nathalie Seff – Executive Director of ACAT France
- Mr. Daniel Bastard – Director for Asia at Le Courrier International
- Mr. Dang Dinh Manh – Human Rights Lawyer
- Mr. Pascal Durand – Member of the European Parliament
- Professor Pham Minh Hoang – Democracy Activist and Former Prisoner of Conscience
For further details please contact: Suzie Dong: +1 346-704-4744