Duong Kim Khai

Pastor in the Mennonite Church, land rights activist

Birth date: June 17, 1958

Activity: Pastor in the Mennonite Church, land rights activist

Date of arrest: August 16, 2010

Sentence: Sentenced to 6 years imprisonment (later reduced to 5 years) followed by 5 years house arrest on May 30, 2011

Charge: Attempting to overthrow the government (Article 79)

Current location: Xuan Loc Prison, Dong Nai province


Duong Kim Khai is a leader of the Cattle Shed Congregation, a house church affiliated with the Mennonite Church. A member of Viet Tan, Pastor Khai has been active in helping farmers petition for return of confiscated lands. In 2011, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled that the Hanoi government’s detention and conviction of Duong Kim Khai and 6 other activists is in violation of international law.