Parliamentary questions
20 September 2010
Question for written answer to the Commission
Rule 117 Graham Watson (ALDE)
Subject: Vietnamese human rights abuse
The record of human rights abuses in South-East Asia is well noted and of grave concern to the European Union. It has been raised frequently and action from the Commission to bolster Asian and European citizens’ criticisms of regimes which fail to uphold human rights standards is most welcome.
Europe is aware of these violations and has asked questions of the regimes in China, Burma and Iran to name the most prominent cases. However, it should not overlook cases such as those of the Internet monitoring laws in Vietnam, a piece of legislation which is widely held to be a method of rounding up peaceful political dissidents. This is unacceptable. The cases of Professor Pham Minh Hoang, Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, Le Thi Cong Nhan and Pham Thanh Nghien demonstrate this illiberal misuse in recent months.
Given the concerns expressed by the Delegation for Relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at its last meeting and the wave of criticism in EU Member States, some action must be taken to make regimes aware that their actions will not be tolerated. Europe’s positive track record of development assistance to Vietnam means we can and should capitalise on these relations. Will the Commission lead the way?
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