HL Deb 21 June 2004 vol 662 cc97-8WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are discussing with the Government of Vietnam the situation of the Montagnard minorities, in particular, reported killings and woundings on 10 and 11 April, the ending of martial law, the release of prisoners of conscience and the restoration of full religious freedom. [HL3145]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We regularly raise our concerns on human rights in Vietnam with the Vietnamese Government, both bilaterally and with our EU partners. Most recently, on 25 May, my honourable friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mike O'Brien) raised the situation in the central highlands of Vietnam with the Vietnamese President. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary also raised the issue and our concerns over human rights the same day with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister.