The European Union and Vietnam held their annual Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels on 2 July 2026, the first such meeting since the two sides upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in January 2026. The dialogue, co-chaired by EEAS Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific Dominic Porter and Vietnamese Director-General Hoang Thi Thanh Nga, covered political and civil rights, economic and social rights, rule of law, and human rights in multilateral forums. EU Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren delivered opening remarks.
The EU reiterated the importance of safeguarding civil and political rights, including freedom of expression, assembly, and religion, and expressed serious concerns about transnational repression affecting individuals in EU territory. The EU raised specific cases of political prisoners and human rights defenders, calling for prison visits and the release of those with serious medical conditions. It also urged Vietnam to adopt a moratorium on the death penalty, while noting ongoing efforts to reduce the number of capital crimes.
Vietnam shared updates on its national development policies, efforts to protect vulnerable groups, and its presentation of the ninth national report on CEDAW in February 2026. Vietnam informed the EU of an Action Plan to implement recommendations from its 2025 ICCPR review. Both sides discussed legal and judicial reforms, access to justice, and administrative reform.
On labour rights, the EU reminded Vietnam of its written commitment to swiftly ratify ILO Convention 87 on freedom of association, as part of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. The EU encouraged Vietnam to extend an open invitation to all UN Special Procedures and enhance engagement with UN mechanisms. The next dialogue is scheduled for 2027 in Hanoi.