Local statement on the prison sentence of Mr. Nguyen Chi Tuyen

On 15 August 2024, the Hanoi People's Court sentenced the Vietnamese blogger Mr. Nguyen Chi Tuyen (alias Anh Chi) to five years in prison "for producing, storing, spreading or disseminating information, documents or objects aiming to oppose the State" (art. 117, Penal Code 2015).

Mr. Nguyen Chi Tuyen is a rights campaigner, who has commented peacefully on social media on social and political issues.

We recall that Vietnam is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since 1982 and recognises the right to freedom of expression.

We regret that Vietnam, once again, did not respond to trial observation requests submitted by several diplomatic missions accredited in Hanoi.

The freedoms of opinion and expression - online and offline - are fundamental pillars of democracy, and make vital contributions to ensuring transparency, social justice, sustainable, inclusive development and sustained stability and prosperity. The Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam expects the Vietnamese authorities to release Mr. Nguyen Chi Tuyen.