#FreeDangDinhBach #StandWithBach #4YearsTooLong
Bring Him Home
Statement in Solidarity with
Dang Dinh Bach on the Fourth Anniversary
of His Trial and Sentencing
January 24, 2026
Today marks four years since environmental lawyer Dang Dinh Bach was sentenced to five years in prison in Vietnam. With significant time already served, and with Tết Lunar New Year - the Year of the Horse commencing on February 17 - this moment offers an important opportunity for amnesty and reunion.
Bach was taken from his home in Hanoi in June 2021 when his son was just two weeks old, and has not seen him since, as four Tết holidays have come and gone. Bach’s health has been compromised in prison, as he suffers from asthma, and as a vegetarian, often does not receive proper nutrition.
After years of separation, Bach's wife, Tran Phuong Thao, and their young son await his return. As the Year of the Horse arrives - symbolizing strength, freedom, and generosity - we appeal to Vietnamese leaders to extend these qualities to Bach and his family.
For more than two decades, Dang Dinh Bach dedicated himself to protecting Vietnam's environment and communities. He co-founded the Law and Policy of Sustainable Development Research Centre (LPSD), supported reforms to Vietnam’s Environmental Protection Law, advocated for communities affected by public health challenges, and helped adopt legislation to limit plastic production and ban asbestos.
Bach's work contributed to Vietnam's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 and helped pave the way for the US $15.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) - achievements that have positioned Vietnam as a regional leader in climate action.
On this fourth anniversary of Bach's sentencing, we express our firm hope that Vietnam – a forerunner in sustainable development and the green energy transition – will match its ambitious climate commitments with clemency and humanitarian action. We hope that amnesty for Bach will be taken into consideration by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and the Vietnamese Amnesty Advisory Council.
The release of Dang Dinh Bach will demonstrate Vietnam's earnestness in pursuing its net-zero commitments and a just energy transition, sending a powerful message that Vietnam values both environmental progress and the people who dedicate their lives to protecting the country's environment and people, while exemplifying values of compassion and renewal.
Let this year bring freedom, reunion, and hope for Dang Dinh Bach and his family.
The Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition is a group of international and regional environmental, climate justice, and human rights organizations concerned about threats to civic space and environmental defenders in Vietnam in the context of the energy transition.
#FREEBACH
#FOURYEARSTOOLONG
Stand with Dang Dinh Bach: Four Years of Unjust Imprisonment
Join our global movement to free Dang Dinh Bach and other environmental and climate defenders.
Join the Global Letter Writing Campaign
We're calling on the world to write letters of solidarity for Bach and other detained environmental and climate defenders, who are wrongfully imprisoned on unfounded charges and under harsh and degrading conditions.
We cannot stay silent. Please join our global letter-writing campaign to express solidarity with Bach and call for his immediate release.
The Climate Crisis and Arrests in Vietnam
Climate Leaders Imprisoned Amid Vietnam’s Climate Commitments
Vietnam pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, joining global partners to mitigate climate change, while simultaneously arresting and detaining the country’s most prominent climate leaders.
We call on the Vietnamese government to demonstrate climate leadership by releasing our colleague Dang Dinh Bach.
We call on G7 nations and financiers who are supporting Vietnam’s just energy transition to call for Bach’s release and the space for autonomous participation of civil society organizations in Vietnam’s climate action.
The green energy transition will not succeed until environmental defenders can participate actively and independently without being criminalized.
The Missing ‘Just’ in Vietnam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)
Vietnam’s Violation of the JETP
The country’s civic space is “closed” and its human rights record is worsening as it implements the $15.5 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) announced in December 2022.
Vietnam is already in violation of the 'just' aspect of the JETP. Civil society is barred from participating, and the wrongful arrests of environmental defenders have created a disabling environment for environmental civil society organizations to operate.
Global Call to Action
We call on the Vietnamese government to permit and protect environmental defenders and release Dang Dinh Bach.
We also call on G7 nations and financiers supporting Vietnam’s just energy transition to call for the autonomous participation of civil society in Vietnam’s climate action.
The green energy transition will not succeed until environmental defenders can participate actively and independently without being criminalized.
The Time to Act Is Now
Coalition Information
About the Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition
This website is supported by the Vietnam Climate Defenders Coalition, who are calling for the immediate release of Dang Dinh Bach and other environmental defenders globally.
