Strasbourg, 27/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a joint resolution tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and ECR groups adopted in plenary on Thursday 26 November, the European Parliament criticises repression in Vietnam against Vietnamese citizens exercising their freedom of speech, belief and congregation under international human rights and the Vietnamese constitution. The EP urges the Vietnamese government to respect its international obligations and recognise all religious communities and the freedom of religious practice. It wants all assets arbitrarily confiscated by the state to be returned to Buddhist temples and Catholic churches and the other religious communities. The EP also criticises the violent removal of more than 150 monks and nuns from monasteries and calls for an end to the persecution and harassment of Buddhists. It also wants a human rights and democracy clause to be included in the new EU-Vietnam partnership and cooperation agreement. (E.H./transl.fl)