Welcome
Human Rights Commissioner Strässer on the release of human rights activist Cu Huy Ha Vu
Christoph Strässer, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid, issued the following statement today (8 April) on the release of the Vietnamese lawyer Cu Huy Ha Vu:
I welcome the release of the Vietnamese human rights activist and lawyer Cu Huy Ha Vu. At the same time I hope that the Vietnamese authorities will release further individuals who have been jailed for exercising their freedom of opinion and demonstration. Viet Nam has committed itself to respecting human rights standards and must act accordingly.
Background information:
On 6 April, lawyer and human rights activist Cu Huy Ha Vu was released from prison. He then left Hanoi and travelled to the United States with his wife. Vu is regarded as one of the most prominent defenders of human rights in Viet Nam. In 2010 he was sentenced to seven years in prison after accusing the Prime Minister of abuse of office and advocating a multi-party system in Viet Nam.