Statement by Ambassador - Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam on the arrest of Ms Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh

Ms. Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh, Coordinator for the Vietnamese Bloggers Network and well known for her public defence of human rights, was arrested yesterday, according to official sources, on charges of "conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" (Art. 88 of the Penal Code). In 2015, Ms. Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh was awarded as Defender of the Year by the Swedish human rights organisation "Civil Rights Defender".

This arrest goes against Vietnam's international and domestic human rights obligations, notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a party since 1982, and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Support for human rights defenders is a long-established element of the European Union's human rights external relations policy.

The Head of the EU Delegation believes it is important to ensure the safety of human rights defenders and protect their rights to express their opinions peacefully, freely, without threats or impediments, in line with Vietnam's international obligations.

The Head of the EU Delegation calls on the Vietnamese Authorities to release Ms. Nguyễn Ngọc Như Quỳnh immediately.

http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/vietnam/press_corner/all_news/news/2016/20161011_message_en.htm