The violent forced expulsion of more than 300 followers of the world-renowned Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh from Bat Nha monastery in late September highlights the Vietnamese government’s suppression of religious freedom.

Six Vietnamese writers are among a diverse group of 37 writers from 19 countries to receive the prestigious Hellman/Hammett award this year.

The Vietnamese government has rejected and ignored recommendations to improve its deteriorating human rights record raised during the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review process that ended this week.

Today’s final Outcome Report for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Vietnam raises serious doubts about Vietnam’s commitment to human rights protection.

Japan should insist that Vietnam take immediate, concrete steps to rectify its abysmal and unacceptable rights record.

Vietnam should immediately release six peaceful democracy activists facing trial on groundless charges of threatening national security, in contravention of its obligations under international and Vietnamese guarantees of free expression.

The Vietnamese government should immediately free respected human rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh and repeal national security laws that criminalize peaceful expression and association.