Human Rights Watch has made a strong appeal ahead of the UN Human Rights Committee's review of Vietnam, urging member states to demand substantial reforms to protect civil and political rights within the country. In a detailed submission, the organization highlighted the need for Vietnam to end the suppression of dissent and release all political prisoners, reforming laws that currently criminalize free political expression.

The review, scheduled for July 7 and 8, is part of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights' routine assessment, which scrutinizes the human rights practices of its signatories. This meeting marks a critical juncture for Vietnam, which has been under increasing scrutiny for its human rights record.

In 2019, the Human Rights Committee had recognized some progress, such as the constitutional inclusion of fundamental citizens' rights. However, it also emphasized the urgent need for Vietnam to align its freedom of expression rights with international standards, specifically pointing out the restrictive nature of Article 19 of the International Covenant.

Vietnam's current legal framework includes several contentious articles, such as Article 117 of the Penal Code, which penalizes the distribution of government-critical information. There's also Article 331, which has been used to curtail freedoms under the guise of protecting state interests. These laws have been actively employed to quash dissent, as seen in the arrest of citizen journalist Nguyen Chi Tuyen in August 2024 for his online critiques of the government.

Moreover, the introduction of Decree 147 in November 2024, which broadens the scope of censorship beyond the already stringent Cybersecurity Law of 2018, has raised alarms about increasing restrictions on freedom of speech. The decree mandates internet providers to monitor and remove content flagged as illegal by authorities and requires users to register online services with personal identification details.

Human Rights Watch also highlighted the plight of over 170 political prisoners in Vietnam, ranging from activists to bloggers, who have been incarcerated for exercising their fundamental human rights. This situation has led organizations like Reporters without Borders to label Vietnam as one of the world's largest jailers of journalists.

The upcoming review by the UN Human Rights Committee presents an opportunity for international actors to press for meaningful changes in Vietnam. Human Rights Watch's call for action underscores the critical need for Vietnam to overhaul its approach to human rights, particularly in terms of freedom of expression, association, and religion, to conform with its international obligations.