MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Viet Nam, in particular the case of human rights journalists Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan

19.1.2021 - (2021/2507(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Lars Patrick Berg, Marco Zanni, Thierry Mariani, Dominique Bilde, Danilo Oscar Lancini, Marco Campomenosi, Markus Buchheit, Jaak Madison
on behalf of the ID Group

B9‑0075/2021

European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Viet Nam, in particular the case of human rights journalists Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan

(2021/2507(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights of 1966, in particular Articles 18 and 19 thereof,

 

– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948,

 

– having regard to the 2019 Universal Periodic Review on Vietnam undertaken by the UN Human Rights Council,

 

– having regard to the EU-Viet Nam Framework Agreement on Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) that entered into force in October 2016,

 

– having regard to the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam of 2019,

 

– having regard to the EU - Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement of 2019,

 

– having regard to its earlier motions for resolutions on Viet Nam,

 

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A. whereas the one-party communist regime in Viet Nam has arrested at least 24 people under the guise of violating vague national security laws;

 

B. whereas Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan, representatives of the Independent Journalists Association of Viet Nam, were convicted on 5 January of “making, storing, spreading information, materials, items for the purpose of opposing the State” under Article 117 of Viet Nam’s Criminal Code; whereas Pham Chi Dung was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment and three years’ probation; whereas Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan were each sentenced to 11 years imprisonment and three years’ probation;

 

C. whereas there has been a serious clampdown on freedom of expression in Viet Nam in recent months, as evidenced by the arrests of journalists and through blocking politically independent websites; whereas Viet Nam is considered to have amongst the least free media in the world;

 

D. whereas there are serious concerns relating to freedom of religion, particularly with regard to the persecution of Christians; whereas Christians constitute approximately 9.1% of the Vietnamese population; whereas both Catholic and Protestant believers are being targeted in Viet Nam because of their faith;

 

E. whereas Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world;

 

1. Condemns, in general, the continuing human rights violations in Viet Nam;

 

2. Urges the Vietnamese government to uphold the rule of law and to ensure that laws are unambiguously and fairly applied;  urges the Vietnamese government to protect, promote and respect the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of religion and labour rights in accordance with its international obligations;

 

3. Expresses concern about fairness of criminal proceedings and, in particular, the lengthy prison sentences imposed on Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan;

 

4. Expresses its grave concern about the persecution of Christians in Viet Nam; urges the government of Viet Nam to fully respect and protect freedom of religion;

 

5. Notes that the EU chose to conclude a free trade agreement with Viet Nam, despite serious concerns being expressed about it; nevertheless reminds the Vietnamese authorities of its obligations under the free trade agreement with the EU, including those with regard to human rights; underlines that the EU should not have double standards when promoting human rights in South-East Asia;

 

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the EU Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP), the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Secretary-General of the UN, and the government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.