PUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION

Response from Paul Gaskell, head of the political section, British Embassy, Hanoi

Dear Ms Libby,

Thank you for your e-mail.

We are aware of the story of the "Flowers from Hell" manuscript and continue to support freedom of  expression in Vietnam. Respect for human rights is a fundamental element of UK foreign policy not just in Vietnam but globally. With our EU partners, we continue to engage with the Vietnamese Government on human rights through an EU-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue, maintain an EU List of Prisoners/Detainees of Concern, and seek to implement the EU's Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders. You can find more information on our website (please see the attached page).

All that said, there has been a significant improvement in the human right situation in Vietnam since the "Flowers from Hell" was written and - while Vietnam remains a country of major human rights concern to the UK - ordinary Vietnamese are today much freer in their day-to-day lives than was previously the case. 

Yours sincerely,

Paul

Paul Gaskell
Head of Political Section
British Embassy Hanoi

behanoi@hn.vnn.vn).