U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Vietnam
U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Vietnam
32nd Session
Geneva, January 22, 2019
as delivered by Jason Mack
The United States welcomes the Vietnamese delegation to the UPR Working Group.
We recommend that Vietnam:
- Immediately release prisoners who have been arbitrarily or unlawfully detained and allow them to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms in Vietnam, including Ho Duc Hoa, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Tran Thi Nga, Nguyen Bac Truyen, and the members of the Brotherhood for Democracy.
- Immediately amend or abolish Articles 8, 18, and 26 of the Cybersecurity Law as they are not in conformity with Vietnam’s international obligations, or its 2013 Constitution.
- Ensure consistent implementation of the Law on Belief and Religion particularly at the local level, including with respect to registration of Protestant groups and other groups in the Northwest Highlands provinces,. Remove undue restrictions on access to religious materials and clergy for those imprisoned and cease any harassment of independent groups on account of their religion.
We remain deeply concerned that the harsh crackdown on individuals peacefully expressing dissent against the government has intensified in 2018.