The United States is concerned by the detention of leaders and staff of CHANGE, including the ongoing detention of CHANGE’s founder Hoang Thi Minh Hong.

We call on Vietnam to respect the rights of those detained and to respect and protect the freedoms of expression and association for all Vietnamese people.  These detentions by Vietnamese authorities are part of a concerning pattern of arrests of local environmental and civil society advocates.

We also reiterate the vital importance of civil society partners like CHANGE in tackling global challenges, advancing sustainable prosperity in the global fight against climate change, and combating wildlife and timber trafficking.

Original source can be found here.