We call upon the EU: Stop Vietnam's growing transnational repression in Thailand

While the EU strengthens its partnership with Vietnam, Vietnamese authorities are increasingly targeting critics beyond their own borders. Journalists, human rights defenders and political dissidents living in Thailand face significant pressure, such as: surveillance, intimidation, arbitrary detention and the risk of being returned to Vietnam by force.

Journalists at risk

Independent Vietnamese journalists in exile are often targeted. Many of them continue to report despite ongoing threats and harassment. Even after fleeing Vietnam, they are forced to stay vigilant and keep a low profile.

In the joint statement we highlights the cases of journalists Truong Duy Nhat and Duong Van Thai. Both disappeared in Thailand before reappearing in Vietnamese custody. They were later sentenced to lengthy prison terms. The coalition says these cases show how Vietnam reaches across borders to silence independent voices.

Growing concerns

We are also concerned about plans for a new extradition treaty between Thailand and Vietnam. Without strong human rights safeguards, such an agreement could make it easier to arrest and return political dissidents under the guise of criminal cooperation.

At the same time, activists report increased surveillance and intimidation in Thailand. Refugee communities say they are being closely monitored, creating fear among those who fled persecution in Vietnam.

What the EU should do

The coalition calls on the EU to:

• Raise transnational repression in all political and human rights dialogues with Vietnam and Thailand, and make it a priority across diplomatic engagement.
• Hold Vietnamese and Thai officials accountable for human rights violations, and make clear that transnational repression is incompatible with the EU's partnership with Vietnam.
• Press for transparency in the negotiations on the extradition treaty and mutual legal assistance treaty. Any agreement should include strong safeguards against politically motivated extraditions and uphold the principle of non-refoulement.
• Strengthen protection through EU delegations and member state embassies by monitoring cases, engaging with at-risk communities and publicly speaking out against cross-border repression.
• Expand emergency visas and resettlement opportunities for journalists, human rights defenders and other activists at risk in Thailand.
• Publicly condemn Vietnam's misuse of national security and other laws to target journalists, activists and government critics.
• Ensure EU cooperation on digital technologies does not enable surveillance or other forms of digital transnational repression, while supporting digital security for journalists and activists at risk.

Together with the coalition, we ask the EU to make clear that transnational repression has no place in its partnership with Vietnam. Protecting journalists and others at risk should remain a central part of that relationship. Read the full statement below: