On Monday 17 September, 32 MEPs linked their approval of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA) to conditions on the respect of human rights in this country (see other article).
In a joint letter to High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, the MEPs say they believe it is "essential that the EU articulates a series of human rights benchmarks that Vietnam should meet before the EVFTA is submitted to Parliament for approval".
The 32 MEPs from the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA, ECR and GUE/NGL Groups, and of 14 different nationalities, say that Vietnam should bring its legislation into line with the international pact on civil and political rights, release all people in prison or under house arrest for having exercised their fundamental rights, recognise independent unions immediately and improve workers' rights. Other requirements the MEPs lay down are revision of the law on cybersecurity and that on belief and religion, and a moratorium on the death penalty.
"Unless Vietnam makes a good faith effort to address these pressing human rights issues and demonstrates concrete improvements and commitment to respect all human rights before Parliament vote, it will be difficult for us to give our consent to the agreement", the 32 MEPs state.
They also say that there is a clear link between the partnership and cooperation agreement and the EVFTA, "which could lead to the adoption of appropriate measures, up to the suspension of the agreement or parts thereof, should one party fail to fulfil its human rights obligations". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)