Vietnam Sentences Fifth Climate Activist to Prison for Tax Evasion

Hoang Thi Minh Hong, a prominent climate activist in Vietnam, has been sentenced to three years in prison and fined for tax evasion, becoming the fifth activist to be jailed on the same charge. Human rights groups argue that the case is politically motivated and part of a state-led effort to silence criticism of the country's climate policies. Vietnam, despite signing the Just Energy Transition Partnership and pledging to reduce coal-fired electricity, has been cracking down on environmental activists. Critics question why international donors continue to support the climate deal while civil society is being suppressed.