FCDO statement:
The United Kingdom is concerned by the arrest of Hoang Thi Minh Hong, former leader of environmental campaign group CHANGE. This is the latest in a pattern of arrests of environmental advocates in Vietnam.
The UK urges the Vietnamese authorities to respect all human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and association. We recognise the importance of civil society actors like CHANGE in securing sustainable and inclusive development for all.
We note that within the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), agreed in December 2022 between Vietnam and G7+ partners, the Government of Vietnam committed to consult NGOs, media and other stakeholders to ensure a broad social consensus. In line with this, environmental organisations and other advocates must be able to contribute meaningfully to climate and environmental policy making.