Rights groups are urging Thailand’s prime minister to release Vietnamese activist Y Quynh Bdap, who is at risk of torture if extradited. Bdap, a UN-recognized refugee, has been detained since June and faces baseless charges in Vietnam. His situation exemplifies the ongoing persecution against the Montagnard community and raises critical human rights concerns.
In a dramatic appeal, nearly 35 rights organizations have urgently urged Thailand’s prime minister to liberate Y Quynh Bdap, a Vietnamese activist facing extradition for terrorism charges. The groups warn that Bdap, who holds United Nations refugee status, could be subjected to severe torture upon his return to Vietnam. Currently detained in Bangkok since June, he was apprehended while seeking asylum in Canada. The joint plea emphasizes that Bdap is at significant risk of torture and unlawful detention if sent back home. Thai officials, including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, have yet to respond officially to the concerns raised in a letter highlighting the grave human rights situation he may face. Bdap fled to Thailand in 2018 seeking refuge from ongoing persecution against the Montagnard Christian minority in Vietnam. Bdap, now 32, co-founded the Montagnards Stand for Justice group, dedicated to educating his community about their rights and documenting human rights abuses. He was sentenced to a decade in prison in absentia due to allegations of instigating anti-government riots in 2022, claims which he adamantly denies. As his extradition appeal awaits a verdict, Bdap has gone into hiding, fearing the serious consequences of being returned to Vietnam. In the wake of a turbulent January trial in Vietnam, where 100 individuals were charged over the riots, Vietnamese officials defend their actions as necessary for upholding the law. However, rights groups argue that the trial was politically driven, particularly regarding Bdap, who was in Thailand at the time of the events. As Thailand steps into its role on the UN Human Rights Council starting in January, rights advocates are scrutinizing whether the nation will uphold its duties to human rights. “What happens to Y Quynh Bdap is a test case of that Thai commitment,” remarked Prakaidao Phurksakasemsuk, emphasizing the need for Thailand to grant Bdap safe resettlement. The Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates group echoes this sentiment, calling for his immediate release on bail, emphasizing that a father should not be torn from his children based on politically fueled allegations. The cries for justice grow louder as the world watches the unfolding fate of Y Quynh Bdap beyond the walls of his detention in Thailand.
The issue surrounding Y Quynh Bdap illustrates broader concerns regarding human rights and refugee protections in Southeast Asia. Bdap’s problematic extradition order from Thailand to Vietnam raises alarms over potential abuses faced by activists upon their return to authoritarian regimes. The Montagnard community, which he represents, has historically suffered repression in Vietnam, making Bdap’s situation emblematic of the struggles faced by many human rights advocates. Rights organizations urge immediate action to safeguard Bdap’s rights and promote adherence to international human rights standards.
Y Quynh Bdap’s case brings to light the intersection of human rights advocacy and government accountability in the region. As pressure mounts on Thailand to prioritize the safety of vulnerable individuals, rights groups stand firm in their demand for Bdap’s release. The outcome will significantly impact perceptions of Thailand’s commitment to human rights as it steps into its role on the UN Human Rights Council, highlighting the importance of global oversight in such matters.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
