§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment his Department has made of the treatment of the Montagnards in Vietnam; and if he will make a statement; [187260]
(2) what representations he has made to the Government of Vietnam concerning the treatment of the Montagnards in Vietnam; and if he will make a statement. [187261]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe remain concerned about the situation of the Montagnards in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam.
We raise human rights concerns regularly with the Vietnamese Government, both bilaterally and with our EU partners. These include the problems faced by the Montagnards in the Central Highlands, particularly with regard to land and religious freedom. I raised these issues during my visit to Vietnam in March and with the President of Vietnam during his official visit to the UK in May. On the same day, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns about human rights in Vietnam with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister.
With our other EU partners, we participate in a regular human rights dialogue with Vietnam. The most recent meeting, attended by our ambassador in Hanoi, took place on 22 June. We raised the situation of the Montagnards at this meeting and expressed our deep concern at unrest in the Central Highlands over Easter 2004.
We will continue to raise our concerns and press the Vietnamese Government to adhere to their obligations at every suitable opportunity.