Vietnam - March 2024

On 1 March, a secret order known as “Directive 24” was obtained by rights watchdog, the 88 Project, allegedly revealing that the Communist Party of Vietnam issued a sweeping direction on 13 July 2023 seeking to protect “national security in the context of comprehensive and deep international integration.” Rights advocates note that the nine-order directive includes concerning provisions which urge officials to increase media censorship, prevent civil society groups from getting involved in legislation and policymaking, ban the formation of trade unions, and crack down on foreign influence, among other things. According to Human Rights Watch, the “implementation of the directive is well underway,” with co-director of 88 Project arguing that the directive “heralds the start of an even harsher campaign against human rights activists and civil society groups.” The government issued a statement saying that Vietnam remains “committed to its international commitments, including those in trade and human rights.”

Sources: Al Jazeera, The Washington Post, NPR, BBC News, The 88 Project, VOA