Human Rights Watch has called upon United Nations member states to leverage the forthcoming UN Human Rights Committee review to persuade Vietnam to halt its suppression of dissenting speech and other basic human rights. In its submission, Human Rights Watch implores that Vietnam make concrete changes, advocating for the release of political prisoners and the abolition of laws that penalize political expression.
The UN Human Rights Committee’s meeting, scheduled for July 7 and 8, forms part of a routine examination of countries that have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. During its last review in 2019, the Committee acknowledged some positive amendments to Vietnam’s constitution but urged expedited legislative revisions to uphold freedom of expression. These recommendations highlighted concerns regarding Article 117 and Article 331 of Vietnam’s Penal Code, which have been employed to curtail political dissent and govern citizens’ expressions.
November 2024 saw an amplification in these measures through Decree 147, expanding the reach of the existing Cybersecurity Law of 2018. This decree obligates internet providers to monitor and remove content deemed illicit, extending to requirements for personal identification details when using overseas online services, further tightening constraints on freedom of speech.
Vietnam remains one of the largest incarcerators of journalists globally, as cited by Reporters without Borders. Human Rights Watch has identified over 170 political prisoners subjected to governmental penalties for exercising their fundamental rights. As the international community prepares for the review, the emphasis will lie on urging the Vietnamese government to cultivate an environment fostering free expression, association, and religion, alongside allowing truly independent labor and trade unions.
For additional insights, the full discussion is accessible via JURIST.