Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the Australian government to set specific, measurable benchmarks for human rights progress in its negotiations with Vietnam, urging a shift from the previous approach to a more systemic method. In a submission issued on Sunday, HRW highlighted five primary areas for improvement: the release of political prisoners and detainees held without cause, the cessation of the persecution of environmental activists, respect for labor rights, guarantees of due process for criminal suspects and defendants, and the lifting of restrictions on religious and belief practices.
Daniela Gavshon, HRW’s Director in Australia, criticized the lack of outcomes from the 18 prior human rights dialogues between the two countries over the past two decades, suggesting that Australia should now insist on concrete and systemic reforms backed by clear benchmarks. Gavshon stated, “Instead of taking a reactive approach to human rights, the Australian government should press for systemic reforms backed by clear benchmarks.”
Vietnam has a long history of imprisoning dissidents and activists. Earlier this year, the UN called on Vietnam to cease its persecution and mistreatment of human rights defenders, highlighting the case of environmental advocate Dang Dinh Bach, who has engaged in multiple hunger strikes to protest his detention conditions.
HRW has pointed out that Vietnam’s actions are in direct violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which the country ratified in 1982. The Vietnamese government has been accused of restrictive practices, including blocking websites, censoring social media content, and prohibiting any organizations perceived as threats to the Communist Party’s monopoly on power from operating freely.
The timing of HRW’s submission is significant, as it comes ahead of the next Human Rights Dialogue between Australia and Vietnam scheduled for 30 July 2024 in Canberra. The organization urges Australia not to let the pursuit of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam stand in the way of addressing critical human rights issues.
For further details on the HRW submission, visit the original article on JURIST.