JACINDA ARDERN DEEPENS NZ GOVTS PARTNERSHIP WITH SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

What human rights are being violated in Vietnam?
Significant human rights issues included: unlawful or arbitrary killings by the government; torture by government agents; arbitrary arrests and detentions by the government; political prisoners; significant problems with the independence of the judiciary; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy;

Vietnam is a socialist republic with a one-party system led by the Communist Party. The CPV espouses Marxism–Leninism and Hồ Chí Minh Thought

A severe crackdown on both online and offline dissent occurred during the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) National Conference and national elections. Independent journalists, publishers and other government critics were arrested and charged under repressive laws. Human rights defenders were subjected to widespread harassment, unlawful digital surveillance, arbitrary arrest and politically motivated prosecution. Torture and other ill-treatment continued to be reported. Harsh lockdown measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable and authorities meted out harsh penalties against those who violated Covid-19 regulations. Informal workers faced acute pandemic-related hardship due to inadequate social assistance,.

Intolerance of dissent hardened further throughout the year and the right to freedom of expression continued to be restricted. Arbitrary arrests and prosecutions of journalists, publishers and others who criticized the government or the CPV increased.

LINKS:

https://www.state.gov/religiousfreedomreport/.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-east-asia-and-the-pacific/viet-nam/report-viet-nam/

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/joint-statement-strategic-partnership-between-socialist-republic-viet-nam-and-new-zealand
22 JULY 2020