9-5-2024 (HANOI) Vietnamese authorities have apprehended a senior labour ministry official on allegations of divulging classified state secrets, state media reported on Thursday (May 9). The arrest of Nguyen Van Binh is seen by some as part of a broader crackdown on civil society amidst a major political reshuffle in the Communist-ruled nation.
Binh, 51, served as the Director General of the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Labour, where he oversaw efforts to reform labour laws in close collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ministry’s website states that he has been charged with intentionally disclosing classified information.
Reuters was unable to reach Binh or his family for comment, and both the ILO and Vietnam’s labour ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the arrest.
The state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper reported that police are widening their investigation into Binh’s case, which revolves around charges of intentionally revealing state secrets.
Binh’s work with the ILO and international partners aimed to facilitate Vietnam’s potential ratification of Convention 87 on labour and trade union rights. If adopted, the convention would guarantee workers the right to establish independent trade unions without prior authorisation from the government.
Vietnam is obligated to ratify the convention under its free trade agreement with the European Union and other trade pacts with Pacific partners. However, the approval process has faced significant delays.
Binh’s detention follows a series of arrests targeting prominent experts and activists in recent months, which some diplomats view as an intensifying crackdown on civil society amid a major reshuffle of top political leaders in the Communist-ruled country.
