Vietnamese activists and lawyers beaten by thugs: Nguyen Van Dai, Le Van Luan, Tran Thu Nam and Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh
The EU raised the issues of restrictions to freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly. It reiterated its serious concerns about harassment, arrest and detention of human rights defenders, activists and bloggers, especially Mr. Nguyen Huu Vinh (aka Anh Ba Sam) and his colleague Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy.
by Vu Quoc Ngu, Dec 17, 2015
The European Union (EU) has raised its concerns about human rights violations in Vietnam as well as restrictions of the country’s laws regarding basic human rights during the 5th round of EU-Vietnam Dialogue on Human Rights held in Hanoi on Dec 15.
During the one-day event co-chaired by Acting Managing Director Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Services (EEAS) Mr. Ugo Astuto and Director General of the International Organizations Department of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Vu Anh Quang, the EU commended Vietnam for continued progress in socio-economic rights in the Southeast Asian nation while expressing persisting concerns over political and civil rights.
Discussing the newly-adopted Vietnamese Criminal Code, of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Law on Custody and Temporary Detention, the EU regretted that the revision of the Criminal Code was not seized to bring the national security provisions in line with international standards and with the principles established in the 2013 Constitution.
The EU welcomed the reduction of crimes carrying the death penalty, but reiterated its call for further steps towards abolishment of the death penalty. In this context the EU enquired about the situation of several prisoners on death row such as Mr. Le Van Manh, Mr. Ho Duy Hai and Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong.
The EU raised the issues of restrictions to freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly. It reiterated its serious concerns about harassment, arrest and detention of human rights defenders, activists and bloggers, especially Mr. Nguyen Huu Vinh (aka Anh Ba Sam) and his colleague Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy.
The EU also mentioned the recent assaults against labor rights activist Ms. Do Thi Minh Hanh and against lawyer Nguyen Van Dai. In addition the EU raised the cases of several persons in jail, namely Mr. Dang Xuan Dieu, Mr. Ngo Hao and Mrs. Bui Thi Minh Anh.
The 28-nation bloc reiterated its request for the release of all persons detained for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression. Furthermore the EU asked to be granted more visits to these persons and to be allowed to observe trials in cases of concern.
The draft Law on Associations and the draft Law on Religion and Beliefs were also discussed and possibilities for the EU to share expertise as well as a support to the action plan for the implementation of the UN Convention against Torture. The EU recalled the importance for Vietnam to ratify outstanding ILO core Conventions.
The two sides discussed cooperation in international fora, both on thematic and country-specific resolutions. The EU welcomed Vietnam’s willingness to engage further with UN Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups, encouraging the communist nation to issue a standing invitation to UN Special Procedures and in particular invitations to the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders.
The EU called for progress in the implementation of the UPR recommendations and enquired about the follow-up to the last visit of the UN Special rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Right after the dialogue, on Dec. 16, Vietnam’s security forces arrested prominent dissident Nguyen Van Dai and detained him in four months for probing him on the charge of conducting anti-state propaganda under Article 88 of the country’s Penal Code. If proven guilty, he will face imprisonment of between three and twelve years.
Mr. Dai, who spent four years in prison and four years under house arrest between 2007 and mid 2015, was arrested when he was on the way to the meeting with the EU delegation at the invitation of Mr. Astuto.
In response to Mr. Dai arrest, the London-based Amnesty International called on Vietnam to release him immediately and unconditionally, saying he is “a brave and passionate activist who has been raising awareness domestically and internationally about human rights violations in a country that tolerates no dissent.”
His arrest highlights Vietnam’s spurious commitment to human rights, the human rights group said.
Regarding recent attacks against human rights defenders and social activists in Vietnam, Champa Patel, Amnesty International Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific said the Vietnamese authorities must also take immediate steps to end intimidation, harassment and other forms of attacks against human rights defenders, and establish an independent and impartial body to investigate and bring suspected perpetrators to justice.
Vietnam is still holding 130 political prisoners who bravely express the freedom of opinions, according to the Amnesty International.
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December 17, 2015
EU Raises Concerns about Increasing Human Rights Violations in Vietnam
by Nhan Quyen • [Human Rights]
Vietnamese activists and lawyers beaten by thugs: Nguyen Van Dai, Le Van Luan, Tran Thu Nam and Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh
by Vu Quoc Ngu, Dec 17, 2015
The European Union (EU) has raised its concerns about human rights violations in Vietnam as well as restrictions of the country’s laws regarding basic human rights during the 5th round of EU-Vietnam Dialogue on Human Rights held in Hanoi on Dec 15.
During the one-day event co-chaired by Acting Managing Director Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Services (EEAS) Mr. Ugo Astuto and Director General of the International Organizations Department of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Vu Anh Quang, the EU commended Vietnam for continued progress in socio-economic rights in the Southeast Asian nation while expressing persisting concerns over political and civil rights.
Discussing the newly-adopted Vietnamese Criminal Code, of the Criminal Procedure Code and the Law on Custody and Temporary Detention, the EU regretted that the revision of the Criminal Code was not seized to bring the national security provisions in line with international standards and with the principles established in the 2013 Constitution.
The EU welcomed the reduction of crimes carrying the death penalty, but reiterated its call for further steps towards abolishment of the death penalty. In this context the EU enquired about the situation of several prisoners on death row such as Mr. Le Van Manh, Mr. Ho Duy Hai and Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong.
The EU raised the issues of restrictions to freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly. It reiterated its serious concerns about harassment, arrest and detention of human rights defenders, activists and bloggers, especially Mr. Nguyen Huu Vinh (aka Anh Ba Sam) and his colleague Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy.
The EU also mentioned the recent assaults against labor rights activist Ms. Do Thi Minh Hanh and against lawyer Nguyen Van Dai. In addition the EU raised the cases of several persons in jail, namely Mr. Dang Xuan Dieu, Mr. Ngo Hao and Mrs. Bui Thi Minh Anh.
The 28-nation bloc reiterated its request for the release of all persons detained for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression. Furthermore the EU asked to be granted more visits to these persons and to be allowed to observe trials in cases of concern.
The draft Law on Associations and the draft Law on Religion and Beliefs were also discussed and possibilities for the EU to share expertise as well as a support to the action plan for the implementation of the UN Convention against Torture. The EU recalled the importance for Vietnam to ratify outstanding ILO core Conventions.
The two sides discussed cooperation in international fora, both on thematic and country-specific resolutions. The EU welcomed Vietnam’s willingness to engage further with UN Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups, encouraging the communist nation to issue a standing invitation to UN Special Procedures and in particular invitations to the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders.
The EU called for progress in the implementation of the UPR recommendations and enquired about the follow-up to the last visit of the UN Special rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Right after the dialogue, on Dec. 16, Vietnam’s security forces arrested prominent dissident Nguyen Van Dai and detained him in four months for probing him on the charge of conducting anti-state propaganda under Article 88 of the country’s Penal Code. If proven guilty, he will face imprisonment of between three and twelve years.
Mr. Dai, who spent four years in prison and four years under house arrest between 2007 and mid 2015, was arrested when he was on the way to the meeting with the EU delegation at the invitation of Mr. Astuto.
In response to Mr. Dai arrest, the London-based Amnesty International called on Vietnam to release him immediately and unconditionally, saying he is “a brave and passionate activist who has been raising awareness domestically and internationally about human rights violations in a country that tolerates no dissent.”
His arrest highlights Vietnam’s spurious commitment to human rights, the human rights group said.
Regarding recent attacks against human rights defenders and social activists in Vietnam, Champa Patel, Amnesty International Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific said the Vietnamese authorities must also take immediate steps to end intimidation, harassment and other forms of attacks against human rights defenders, and establish an independent and impartial body to investigate and bring suspected perpetrators to justice.
Vietnam is still holding 130 political prisoners who bravely express the freedom of opinions, according to the Amnesty International.