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Vietnam seeks to curb fundamental civil society rights: watchdog report – JURIST

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) allegedly issued a secret directive to curb fundamental rights of civil society by banning trade unions, curtailing freedom of expression, and clamping on foreign influence, according to a report published Friday by human rights watchdog the 88 Project.The report found that the CPV allegedly issued a secret directive named Directive 24 that refers to every conduct of international commerce and trade as a threat to national security and framed regulations to curb the same, which the citizens of the country are altogether unaware of. The 88 Project report also stated that Directive 24 was issued on July 13, 2023, by the Political Bureau of the Central Party Committee of Vietnam.The directive allegedly aims to bolster national security in light of Vietnam’s increasing international integration. The report said the government seeks to curb international integration over concern that it may allow “increased international cooperation as a means to promote an independent civil society and domestic political opposition groups”—clearly projecting for a one-party rule.Moreover, as per the 88 Project’s report, the directive includes nine orders for implementation by the state party and organizations. These orders include closely scrutinizing foreign trips by officials, party members and Vietnamese citizens traveling for business or any kind of exchange or visit, not allowing the formation of political or labor organization in the country and stressing the building of a national and cultural value system to propagate the “Vietnamese family value system.”The report alleged that Directive 24 is in strict violation of international law. Vietnam ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1982, which permits the restriction of certain rights for the protection of the country’s national security. The report stated, “Vietnam cannot, however, invoke national security to justify any restriction on human rights. There are strict limits on what constitutes a threat to national security under international law.”The report comes as Vietnam is set to ratify Convention 87 of the International Labour Organization, which promotes the “freedom of association and rights of both employee and employers to join in organization as per their choice without any authorities’ influence.”The 88 Project is based on advocating and promulgating free speech and civil liberties in Vietnam. The watchdog has undertaken human rights advocacy and has shared stories of persecution of Vietnamese political rights activists through their databases. The 88 Project was started to bridge the information gap regarding the persecution of human rights in Vietnam in English.