VIET NAM: ACTIVIST HELD IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT

Your Excellency,

I am writing to express my grave concern for the health of Bùi Tuấn Lâm, an activist and father of three daughters who was sentenced in 2023 to five years and six months in prison for “opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam” after he posted videos on social media about social issues and human rights concerns.

It is deeply disturbing to learn of reports that Bùi Tuấn Lâm has been subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in Xuân Lộc prison. From April 30 to May 10, 2025, Bùi Tuấn Lâm’s legs were shackled as a punishment for his hunger strike against harsh conditions in prison.

Bùi Tuấn Lâm is reportedly continuing to suffer torture or other ill-treatment while incarcerated due to his vocal opposition to prison conditions. Since May 10, Lâm has been kept in solitary confinement with no access to clean water, electricity, or light. His vision has deteriorated due to the darkness of the prison cell. The prison has refused to answer his family’s complaint regarding this ill-treatment.

I urge you to ensure that Bùi Tuấn Lâm is immediately and unconditionally released, as he is detained solely for exercising his human right to freedom of expression. Pending his release, Bùi Tuấn Lâm must be treated in full accordance with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and protected from torture and other ill-treatment and provided access to adequate healthcare.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]