"Coerced Covid-19 testing" lawsuit in Binh Duong: Court rejects plaintiff's request

SGGPO June 30, 2023 9:14 PM

The People's Court of Binh Duong province ruled, rejecting all requests of the plaintiff, and at the same time recognized the administrative penalty decisions of the People's Committee of Vinh Phu ward and the People's Committee of Thuan An city as correct.

On the afternoon of June 30, the People's Court of Binh Duong province opened the first instance trial of the case of Ms. HTPL (40 years old, residing in Vinh Phu ward, Thuan An city, Binh Duong province) suing the Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Phu ward regarding the decision on administrative sanctions. Ms. L. was forced to take a Covid-19 test in September 2021, causing a stir in public opinion at that time.

At the trial, the defendants, the Chairman of Vinh Phu Ward People's Committee and the Chairman of Thuan An City People's Committee, both submitted requests for absence.

The panel of judges before the trial

Lawyers present at the trial requested to postpone the trial to summon the defendant and relevant medical units.

The representative of the People's Procuracy of Binh Duong province said that their absence did not affect the trial, so after consideration, the panel of judges decided to continue the trial.

In September 2019, a representative of Vinh Phu ward's leadership apologized to Ms. L. for being hasty.

According to the People's Court, the time when the People's Committee of Vinh Phu Ward forced Ms. L. to take a COVID-19 test was due to the urgency of Covid-19 epidemic prevention work. Ministries, branches, and localities must not be subjective, must ensure the safety of people's lives and health, prevent the spread of the epidemic, and minimize deaths. Meanwhile, the apartment building where Ms. L. lives has had a COVID-19 case.

Late in the afternoon of the same day, the People's Court of Binh Duong province ruled, rejecting all requests of the plaintiff, and at the same time recognized the administrative penalty decisions of the People's Committee of Vinh Phu ward and the People's Committee of Thuan An city as correct.

Previously, in September 2021, at Ehome 4 apartment building, Vinh Phu ward, after a period of unsuccessful persuasion, the authorities forced Ms. HTPL to undergo testing. When the incident occurred, residents recorded the clip and posted it on social media, causing a stir in public opinion.

After the above incident, the leader of Vinh Phu Ward People's Committee admitted his shortcomings and apologized to Ms. L. for "being hasty in epidemic prevention work". However, Ms. L. did not accept it and filed a complaint and continued to sue the Chairman of Vinh Phu Ward People's Committee and the Chairman of Thuan An City People's Committee.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/vu-kien-cuong-che-xet-nghiem-covid-19-o-binh-duong-toa-bac-yeu-cau-cua-nguoi-khoi-kien-post695696.html