Vietnam - October 2022

Vietnam was elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council on 11 October, despite mounting criticism over an increasing crackdown on human rights activists, journalists, and climate advocates over the past year. Four prominent human rights groups issued a joint statement highlighting that since announcing its candidacy in February 2021, 48 persons have been detained or arrested for arbitrary crimes ranging from "abusing democratic freedoms" to "propaganda against the State" to "tax evasion." The statement calls on Vietnam to release arbitrarily detained persons to ensure their rights to freedom of expression and association. 

Sources: The Diplomat, Human Rights Watch