Case History: Dinh Quang Tuyen
On 19 May 2015, two unknown men attacked Dinh Quang Tuyen near his home in Saigon.
In recent weeks, attacks on human rights defenders and bloggers in broad daylight have increased. Prior to the assault on 19 May, Tuyen had repeatedly used social media to express his opposition to violent police actions targeting human rights defenders in Vietnam, such as Nguyen Chi Tuyen, who was attacked on 11 May 2015.
Dinh Quang Tuyen founded the 'Nuoc Nha Khong Ban' (Don’t Sell Our Country) movement to protest against China’s policy in the disputed South China Sea. He has also spoken out publicly in support of harassed human rights defenders in Vietnam and denounced police abuses.
On 19 May 2015, two unknown men attacked human rights defender Mr Dinh Quang Tuyen near his home in Saigon.
In recent weeks, attacks on human rights defenders and bloggers in broad daylight have increased. Prior to the assault on 19 May, Tuyen had repeatedly used social media to express his opposition to violent police actions targeting human rights defenders in Vietnam, such as Nguyen Chi Tuyen, who was attacked on 11 May 2015.
The attack on Dinh Quang Tuyen took place in the early hours of the morning after he left his house on his bicycle. Approximately 100 meters from his home on Cao Lo Street in the Dong Dieu area of Saigon, the human rights defender was forced to a stop by two young men wearing surgical masks, who then punched him in the face. The offenders immediately fled the scene on a motorcycle. Dinh Quang Tuyen was able to return home despite bleeding profusely. He was then taken to hospital afterwards. He suffered a fractured nose.
Upon leaving his house on the morning of the attack, the human rights defender noticed a man sitting in front of the house and observing him. Immediately after Tuyen's appearance, the man, whom Dinh Quang Tuyen recognised as Lieutenant Huy from the local police, called someone on his phone. According to the human rights defender, he has been under police surveillance for several months. This leads to believe that police officials may be behind the attack.
