Vietnam Detains Energy Expert Following Biden's Visit, Raising Questions on Human Rights and Climate Commitments

Vietnam Detains Energy Expert Following Biden's Visit, Raises Concerns over Human Rights Hanoi police detained Ngo Thi To Nhien, the Executive Director of the Vietnam Initiative for Energy Transition (VIET), an independent think tank focused on green energy policy, just a few days after U.S. President Joe Biden's visit, according to the 88 Project charity. President Biden had announced multiple joint initiatives during his visit, including efforts to protect human rights. The reason for Nhien's detention remains unclear, as authorities have yet to make an announcement or provide any information.

This alarming development adds to the growing concerns surrounding human rights in Vietnam. The arrest of Nhien is particularly significant as it comes at a time when Vietnam has been negotiating with international partners to tackle climate change and accelerate policies related to renewable energy. Vietnam has been working closely with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership, a $15.5 billion pledge by G7 and other countries to help Vietnam reduce its reliance on coal. Nhien's detention highlights the Vietnamese government's questionable actions, using political prisoners as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations. This marks the sixth detention of an expert working on environmental and climate issues in Vietnam over the past two years.

The arrests have raised concerns about the government's crackdown on those working in the field of energy policy and research. The raid on VIET's offices and the interrogation of its staff further illustrate the government's efforts to stifle critical voices and limit research in this crucial area. Despite the recent release of two detained rights activists as part of the agreements made during President Biden's visit, human rights organizations have criticized the lack of attention paid to these issues. The White House fact sheet about the visit briefly mentioned a commitment to promoting and protecting human rights but lacked in-depth discussion on the matter.

Prior to Biden's visit, the Vietnamese government had been holding at least 159 political prisoners and detaining 22 others, according to Human Rights Watch. International observers, including the German government, have expressed concern over the Vietnamese government's treatment of civil society activists and the impact it could have on the Just Energy Transition Partnership. The JETP deal, aimed at phasing out the use of fossil fuels in Vietnam, requires the involvement of civil society activists, making Nhien's detention even more troubling. As Vietnam aims to position itself as a leader in climate change mitigation and renewable energy adoption, the detention of an energy expert raises questions about the country's commitment to its own goals and international partnerships.