Phan Van Thu

Name:    Phan Van Thu   

Country/Area of Origin: Vietnam (Ethnic Vietnamese)

Background: Founder of the Buddhist sect An Doan Dai Dao (ADDD)

Reason for Arrest:

On February 5, 2012, the police arrested Mr. Thu, a Buddhist sect leader known for his work among Vietnam’s poor. Authorities charged him and several followers with “abusing rights to freedom and democracy to harm State interests”, subsequently modified the charge to  “plotting to overthrow the government of Vietnam.” In January 2013 the Phu Yen Province Lower Court tried 22 ADDD adherents. Lacking any real evidence, the court relied only on false charges and “confessions” extracted from the tortured victims to sentence the ADDD adherents to lengthy prison terms. Mr. Thu received a life sentence because he was the founder of this sect.

An Dan Dai Dao (Blessed Flock of the Great Way, Vietnamese abbreviation: ADDD) is a religious organization aiming to bring Buddhist enlightenment to everybody. Mr. Thu founded the sect in 1969. By April 30, 1975, ADDD had established 14 temples, ordained hundreds of monks and nuns, and had tens of thousands of adherents. After the 1975 Communist invasion of South Vietnam, the new regime focused on eliminating this sect through seizing all its temples and religious materials and prosecuting Mr. Thu and other believers.  A number of ADDD adherents fled to the U.S.

After relocating several times to avoid persecution, Mr. Thu and a number of followers (including a number of followers who returned as U.S. nationals) spent their own money and worked hard with their hands to build an entire eco-resort near Da Bia Mountain, a remote site in Phu Yen Province. The sect was hoping to support its members’ religious activities through income generated from tourists spending time at the eco-resort. No member had any kind of political agenda

On February 4, 2012, the police of Phu Yen Province charged Mr. Thu and several followers with “abusing rights to freedom and democracy to harm State interests”. The government subsequently  changed its charge of the remaining victims to “plotting to overthrow the government of Vietnam.” In January 2013 the Phu Yen Province Lower Court tried 22 ADDD adherents. Lacking any real evidence, the court relied only on false charges and “confessions” extracted from the tortured victims to sentence the ADDD adherents to lengthy prison terms. Mr. Thu received a life sentence because he was the founder of this sect.

Experts believe his arrest and sentencing are related to the ruling Communist Party’s attempts to decimate independent churches.

Latest Updates:

  • In February 2021, The 88 Project reported that Mr. Thu is still languishing in prison and is not receiving medical treatment for his multiple ailments, including arthritis, diabetes, and heart failure; he also frequently faces difficulty walking. His family, despite numerous requests, has been unable to visit him. Other ADDD members in prison with Mr. Thu have also died due to complications with kidney failure due to lack of sufficient medical treatment.