14/12/2017 Agence Europe) – In its adoption of a joint resolution of the ECR, Greens, S&D, ALDE and EPP groups, the European Parliament on Thursday 14 December called for the immediate and unconditional release of Vietnamese blogger Nguyen Van Hoa, who was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment on 27 September for having produced propaganda against the state by sharing information about an ecological disaster. More generally, the MEPs call for the liberation of all citizens being held for having peacefully exercised their right to the freedom of expression, expressing concern at the increasingly restrictive approach of the authorities concerning the freedom of expression and other freedoms. The Vietnamese authorities must lift all restrictions and cease any harassment against human rights defenders, they add. (CG)