• Cu Huy Ha Vu (C) stands between policemen in front of the dock during his trial at a court in Hanoi April 4, 2011.
    © 2011 Reuters
    Vietnam: Systematic Crackdown on Human Rights

    The Vietnam government intensified its repression of activists and dissidents during 2011, and cracked down harshly on freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

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  • Human Rights in Vietnam

    Vietnam’s human rights record remains weak in many areas. The government suppresses virtually all forms of political dissent, using a broad array of repressive measures. Freedom of expression, association, and public assembly are tightly controlled. Religious activists are harassed, intimidated, and imprisoned. State-run drug rehabilitation centers exploit detainees as forced laborers making goods for local markets and export. The criminal justice system lacks independence and operates under the direction of the government and party. 

Reports

Vietnam

  • Vietnam: Systematic Crackdown on Human Rights
    Jan 23, 2012

    The Vietnam government intensified its repression of activists and dissidents during 2011, and cracked down harshly on freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

  • European Union: Press Vietnam to Respect Human Rights
    Jan 11, 2012
    The European Union should press Vietnam to release all political prisoners and to carry out concrete improvements in freedom of expression, assembly, association, and religion during a dialogue in Hanoi on January 12, 2012.
  • EU–Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue
    Jan 10, 2012
    During the year 2011, there were many violations of human rights in Vietnam including a steady stream of political trials and arrests.
  • Vietnam: Free Peaceful Activist
    Jan 4, 2012
    Vietnamese authorities should immediately release the activist Bui Thi Minh Hang and stop harassing her for protesting peacefully.
  • Vietnam: Release Hoa Hao Buddhist Activist
    Dec 12, 2011
    Vietnamese authorities should immediately release the Hoa Hao Buddhist activist Nguyen Van Lia and drop all charges against him.
  • Vietnam: Overturn Democracy Activist’s Sentence
    Nov 28, 2011
    Vietnamese authorities should immediately release the blogger Pham Minh Hoang and vacate the verdict against him when his case comes up on appeal.
  • Ending Forced Labor in Vietnam’s Drug Detention Centers
    Nov 16, 2011

    Since its September release, our report on the drug detention centers in southern Vietnam has already compelled two major multinational companies to cut ties with these facilities—US-based Columbia Sportswear Co. and Swiss-based Verstergaard Frandsen.

  • One AIDS march that should end
    Oct 28, 2011
    “No prejudice against HIV/AIDS patients.” That’s a banner worth walking behind. To make it real in Vietnam will require those walking in Washington to ask tough questions of U.S. global AIDS policies.
  • National Cashew Day more than nuts
    Oct 3, 2011
    Vietnam is the world’s largest exporter of cashews. But in the south, where cashew production is common, some of that production occurs in so-called drug “treatment” centers. Forty thousand drug users are detained at any one time in Vietnam, and forced labor is their main “treatment.”
  • Vietnam: Free Religious Activists Immediately
    Sep 30, 2011
    Vietnamese authorities should immediately end their crackdown on religious activists and free 15 people detained for expressing their beliefs.
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