Vietnam jails YouTuber

Nguyen Chi Tuyen, a prominent Vietnamese YouTuber and activist known for his advocacy on environmental issues and land rights, was sentenced to five years in prison on anti-state charges. The court found him guilty of disseminating information against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a ruling criticized by rights groups as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in the country. Tuyen, who has faced police harassment and restrictions on his movements, maintained that he acted in accordance with his conscience, voicing his thoughts and aspirations. His arrest occurred alongside that of another activist, Nguyen Vu Binh, signaling increased repression against peaceful critics in Vietnam. Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists have condemned Tuyen's sentencing, calling for his immediate release and an end to Vietnam's systematic violations of basic rights. Tuyen's case exemplifies the challenges faced by those who speak out against the ruling Communist Party's policies amid tight media censorship.