Press Statement by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union in Hanoi on the sentencing and arrests of human rights defenders in Vietnam

EU notes that on 27 November 2007, the Supreme People's Court of Hanoi agreed on a one year sentence reduction for Mr Nguyen Van Dai and Ms Le Thi Cong Nhan. We also take note that EU and other international representatives (diplomats and media) were given the opportunity to attend the appeal court for Mr Nguyen Van Dai and Ms Le Thi Cong Nhan, as well as that defence lawyers were present and given time to cross-examine and make concluding statements.

However, the EU reiterates its call on the Government of Vietnam made on 15 May 2007 to release Mr Nguyen Van Dai and Ms Le Thi Cong Nhan and the other non-violent political activists who have simply exercised their rights to freedom of expression and association as guaranteed in article 69 of the Vietnamese Constitution and in articles 19 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a party.

The EU is deeply concerned about the recent arrests of non-violent political activists, including one EU citizen.