Viet Nam’s Transnational Repression in Thailand – Joint statement
While the EU recently elevated its relationship with Viet Nam to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, civic space within Viet Nam continues to shrink. This repression is no longer contained within Viet Nam’s borders. Recent high-level state visits between Thai and Vietnamese authorities have signaled a dangerous tightening of bilateral security cooperation, extending beyond legitimate security objectives and encompassing the illegitimate targeting of individuals for political reasons. By strengthening the means for transnational repression (TNR), Viet Nam is acting in breach of those commitments and of its legal obligations under international human rights law. The EU should insist on compliance with those commitments and heed the calls repeatedly formulated by the European Parliament on TNR.

