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Vietnam Represses Criticisms of Late Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong Before State Funeral

Vietnamese authorities have utilized cybersecurity decrees to fine internet users and ordered social media platforms to remove online postings criticizing the late Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong. Trong, who ruled the country with an iron fist and carried out a comprehensive clampdown on freedom of expression, died at the age of 80 last week due to prolonged health issues.

On July 20 and 21, the Department of Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department summoned three internet users. It fined them under Article 101 of Decree 15/2020, which regulates the circulation of information on the internet. The three were charged with  allegedly sharing and posting “false, fabricated, and distorted information denying the great achievements and contributions of comrade Nguyen Phu Trong” and “discrediting party and state leaders.”