01/12/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 1 December, the EU called for the release of "all the Vietnamese citizens detained for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression". During the seventh round of the EU-Vietnam annual enhanced Human Rights Dialogue, which was held in Hanoi, the EU "expressed serious concerns about the extensive application of the national security provisions in Vietnam’s Penal Code and noted the steep rise in the number of detentions, arrests and sentencing of Vietnamese citizens related to the expression of their opinions", a press release from the European External Action Service states. During the meeting, the EU underlined "the deterioration of civil and political rights" and discussed freedom of expression, association, assembly, religion and belief and access to information. It also spoke of the "crucial role" of civil society organisations. (CG)