October 23, 2025
Viet Tan delegation recently engaged in meetings with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Strasbourg to advocate for human rights, labor rights, and fair trade under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The delegation highlighted serious concerns about escalating human rights violations in Vietnam, including the harsh imprisonment of prominent activists such as Le Dinh Luong, who is serving a 20-year sentence, and Trinh Ba Phuong, who received an additional 11-year sentence, totaling 21 years. These cases drew particular attention from MEPs, who expressed deep concern over the repression of independent trade unions and the suppression of freedom of expression.
The discussions also emphasized the growing trade deficit the EU faces with Vietnam, which exceeded 40 billion euros in 2024 and is expected to increase in 2025. MEPs stressed the need for fair trade practices that protect European jobs and uphold workers’ rights, including the right to form independent unions, as committed under EVFTA. The delegation and MEPs agreed on the importance of pushing for concrete reforms in Vietnam rather than mere promises, especially regarding democratic freedoms and workers’ rights.EVFTA,
Furthermore, the meetings addressed transnational repression by the Vietnamese government targeting activists abroad and problematic issues such as the use of Vietnam as a transit point for Chinese goods falsely labeled as originating from Vietnam, violating WTO regulations. Việt Tân delegation noted the ongoing support from long-standing and new MEPs in advocating for the respect of human rights and labor rights in Vietnam. These engagements underscore the European Parliament’s commitment to linking trade relations with respect for fundamental rights and democratic values.
This advocacy reflects an effort to ensure that EU-Vietnam relations are sustainable and grounded in respect for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, with future follow-up meetings planned to deepen cooperation on these critical issues.