Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised serious concerns over the Vietnamese government’s intensifying clampdown on dissent, flagging an alarming shift towards targeting not only activists but ordinary citizens for expressing discontent with state policies. The report, released by HRW, underscores the breadth of this suppression, focusing particularly on the misuse of Article 331 of Vietnam’s penal code. This statute restricts what is termed as the “abuse of democratic freedoms” and has been instrumental in silencing public criticism.
Patricia Gossman, the Associate Asia Director at HRW, noted that the authorities are resorting more frequently to Article 331 to penalize those who voice concerns over issues such as poor public services, corruption, or instances of police misconduct. The report details that between 2018 and February 2025, the number of convictions under this provision surged to at least 124—an increase more than fourfold compared to the previous six years.
Victims of this backlash include a diverse range of individuals: human rights activists, independent journalists, and even those mourning family members lost in custody. A notable instance involves Dao Ba Cuong, who was handed a two-year jail sentence after challenging authorities in the wake of his son’s death in custody. Legal actions have also been taken against prominent individuals like lawyer Tran Dinh Trien for voicing critical opinions on social media, as recently initiated by the government.
Amid its economic ascent and a strategic position in the geopolitical landscape, Vietnam faces scrutiny from rights groups who allege that democratic nations are disregarding Hanoi’s human rights transgressions, noted by organizations such as Amnesty International. Vietnam’s actions seem at odds with its commitment as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, yet the country continues to implement restrictive measures against dissenters.
HRW calls upon international allies to pressure Vietnam into releasing political prisoners and repealing Article 331 to safeguard peaceful expression from criminal repercussions. This appeal aligns with assertions by other rights groups that these actions contradict Vietnam’s international agreements and obligations, including those outlined in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, as reported by the International Federation for Human Rights.