112WATCH Jointly Writes to French President Emmanuel Macron

As the French President prepares for his official visit to Vietnam on May 26–27, 2026, 112WATCH and other organisations urge  President Emmanuel Macron to ensure that the defense of human rights remains central to his agenda. While France rightly recognises Vietnam's strategic and economic importance, a sustainable partnership must be grounded in shared democratic principles.

Despite the commitments made under the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the human rights situation in the country has deteriorated sharply, with nearly 200 political prisoners detained for peacefully expressing dissent. Many of them face harsh treatment and lack of medical care, in violation of international conventions.

Macron's leadership on global issues, particularly his principled stance on the war in Ukraine, has affirmed France’s commitment to the rule of law. 112WATCH and others respectfully ask that the president use his influence to press for the release of Vietnam’s imprisoned human rights defenders and reaffirm France’s support for freedom of expression, association, and the press. Download here:

• French : https://viettan.org/fr/des-ongs-alertent-emmanuel-macron-sur-les-droits-humains-au-vietnam/
• English : https://viettan.org/en/ngos-alert-french-president-emmanuel-macron-on-the-human-rights-situation-in-vietnam/

The letter is also attached below.

ACAT France has already requested a meeting with Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic adviser to pass the letter to him person.

In solidarity,

112WATCH
ACAT-France
ACAT-Germany
Brotherhood for the Democracy
LDH (Ligue des Droits de l'Homme)
Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG)
Viet Tan