Human rights groups are urging Thailand not to extradite a Vietnamese activist detained in Bangkok, citing concerns for his safety if returned to Vietnam. The activist, Y Quynh Bdap, who held United Nations refugee status in Thailand, was arrested by local police shortly after meeting with Canadian Embassy officials to seek asylum. Bdap, co-founder of the Montagnards Stand for Justice group, was convicted in absentia in Vietnam on charges related to organizing anti-government riots in Dak Lak province.
Before his arrest, Bdap had been in hiding for six months after Vietnamese authorities sought him in Thailand with Thai assistance. In a video statement, Bdap denied involvement in the alleged violent incident, emphasizing his peaceful human rights activism focused on religious freedom and advocating for people's rights.
Currently held in a Bangkok prison awaiting an extradition hearing, Bdap's case has drawn attention from Human Rights Watch and UNHCR. The UN agency stressed the importance of not forcibly returning refugees to countries where they face persecution, emphasizing states' responsibility to protect individuals on their territory.
Rights groups have criticized Vietnam's treatment of the Montagnard minority, with many seeking asylum in neighboring countries due to intimidation and mistreatment by Vietnamese authorities. Human Rights Watch warned that Bdap would be at risk if sent back to Vietnam, calling on Thai authorities to release him.
Thailand's track record of extraditing dissidents to countries like Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and China has raised concerns about transnational repression. Bdap's conviction in Vietnam on terrorism charges has heightened fears of his extradition, contrasting with the situation of Uyghur refugees detained in Thailand.
In a plea for help, Bdap called on the United Nations, NGOs, and democratic governments to protect him from extradition, underscoring the urgency of his situation.
