§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Vietnam; and what representations he has made with regard to the treatment of Christians, with particular reference to evangelicals. [184226]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe have regular discussions with the Vietnamese Government on a range of issues, including religious freedom and other human rights issues. We are deeply concerned at the severe restrictions on some Protestant groups in Vietnam, especially ethnic minority Protestants in the Central Highlands region.
We regularly raise our human rights concerns. I raised during my visit to Vietnam in March again the situation in the Central Highlands with the President of Vietnam during his official visit to the UK. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also raised our human rights concerns in Vietnam the same day with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister.
With EU partners, we also participate in a regular human rights dialogue with Vietnam. The most recent EU-Vietnam human rights dialogue meeting took place on 22 June and was attended by our Ambassador in Hanoi. We raised freedom of religion and the situation of the Protestants in Vietnam.
We will continue to raise our concerns at every suitable opportunity.