Australia Urged to Champion Human Rights During Vietnam Visit

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong is set to visit Vietnam this week, a trip that Human Rights Watch urges should prioritize the nation’s dire human rights record. While acknowledging Vietnam’s economic growth and strategic importance, the organization stresses that Australia must not overlook the country’s repressive nature.

Key Takeaways

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s upcoming visit to Vietnam presents an opportunity to address human rights concerns.
Vietnam remains one of Southeast Asia’s most repressive countries, with over 170 political prisoners, many requiring urgent medical attention.
The use of Article 331 of the penal code to prosecute critics on social media has surged, with at least 124 individuals sentenced between 2018 and February 2025.
Past human rights dialogues have yielded no measurable progress, necessitating a more direct approach from Australia.

Addressing Vietnam’s Human Rights Crisis

During her meetings with Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son, Minister Wong is expected to publicly raise concerns about Vietnam’s human rights situation. This includes highlighting the plight of over 170 political prisoners, several of whom are in urgent need of medical care. Examples cited include Nguyen Thai Hung, an internet commentator suffering from tuberculosis, and Le Dinh Luong, a Catholic activist with chronic health issues, both serving lengthy prison sentences.

The Escalation of Repression

A recent Human Rights Watch report indicates a significant increase in the prosecution of individuals who criticize the government online. Article 331 of Vietnam’s penal code, which addresses "abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state," is increasingly used to silence dissent on issues such as religious freedom, land rights, Indigenous rights, and government corruption. Between 2018 and February 2025, Vietnamese courts handed down harsh prison sentences to at least 124 people under this article.

Advocating for Meaningful Change

Human Rights Watch argues that Australia’s current approach of raising human rights concerns solely within closed-door dialogues, such as the one held on August 12, is insufficient. After two decades of such dialogues yielding no discernible progress, Minister Wong’s visit offers a crucial chance to signal that Vietnam’s continued repressive trend could negatively impact the bilateral relationship. Upholding human rights and the rule of law would not only benefit the Vietnamese people but also serve Australia’s interests.