Opinion: The EU Must Step Up Pressure on Vietnam to Stop Human Rights Abuses.

Human Rights Abuses in Vietnam: EU Should Set Benchmarks for Progress

The Human Rights Watch has called on the European Union to make use of a bilateral dialogue with the Vietnamese government to end the systemic violations of human rights in Vietnam. The call came ahead of the EU–Vietnam human rights dialogue scheduled for June 9, 2023, in Hanoi. Vietnam has intensified its repression of human rights by wrongfully sentencing activists to long prison terms, restricting civil and political liberties, and violating the freedom of religion and belief.

EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement

The EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2020 to promote the participation of independent civil society groups in overseeing the implementation of the trade and sustainable development chapter of the agreement. However, Vietnamese police arrested Mai Phan Loi and Dang Dinh Bach, two active leaders of the nongovernmental organization trade agreement network that civil society groups created to promote their participation in the Domestic Advisory Group.

In January 2022, they were convicted on baseless charges of tax evasion and sentenced to three years and nine months, and five years in prison, respectively. Of the Domestic Advisory Group’s seven members approved by the Vietnamese government, at least four organizations are closely linked to the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam and chaired by senior party members.

Human Rights Violations

In May this year, police at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi prevented the prominent rights defender Nguyen Quang A from leaving for a trip to Europe. Currently, Vietnam holds more than 150 political prisoners. Human Rights Watch urged the EU to press the Vietnamese government to amend or repeal the penal code articles 109, 116, 117, 118, and 331, which the authorities frequently use to repress civil and political rights. The government should also repeal or amend articles 14(2) and 15(4) of the constitution, which allow for restrictions on human rights for reasons of national security that go beyond what is permissible under international human rights law.

Helsinki Watch, one of the former human rights groups, reports that the Vietnamese government frequently restricts the right to freedom of movement, pro-democracy activists frequently face restrictions on leaving their homes or neighborhood, are confronted with intimidation and violence by officials or government-connected thugs, and are prevented from leaving the country.

Editorial: Press Vietnam for Changing its Systemic Human Rights Situation

The EU should use the upcoming human rights dialogue to set benchmarks, deadlines and consequences, and should clearly communicate such measures to the Vietnamese government. In addition, the EU should provide training, financial resources, and political support for independent civil society organizations so that they can more effectively monitor, document, and report on human rights abuses and promote human rights reforms in Vietnam.

The EU should incentivize Vietnam to change its systemic human rights situation by giving greater priority to human rights considerations in its overall political, economic and trade relations with the country. Vietnam‘s government should understand that serious and lasting improvements in human rights are essential for a sustainable partnership with the EU. Therefore, the EU should consider suspending or withdrawing preferential trade preferences that the Vietnamese government enjoys if it does not take adequate measures to address human rights issues.

Advice: Encourage Human Rights Reforms

The EU should encourage human rights reforms in Vietnam through international cooperation and communication, regular monitoring and discussions, and applying diplomatic pressure on the Vietnamese government. It should work cooperatively with international organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Helsinki Watch, and Amnesty International to promote long-term progress on human rights. It should encourage other nations to apply similar pressure, both bilaterally and multilaterally, to hold Vietnam accountable for ongoing rights abuses.

Additionallt, Human rights defenders in Vietnam need more protection and support. In this light, the EU should also work towards increasing awareness among European businesses, universities, governments, and media about the human rights situation in Vietnam, and the risks associated with doing business, research, and journalistic activities, and study opportunities in or with the country.

The Human Rights Watch Campaign is important in ending the repression of human rights in Vietnam, however, it is important to note that progress can only be made through sustained pressure from the civil society, media, business, governments, and international organizations, all working coordinatively towards promoting human rights in Vietnam.

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