On 18 February 2022, in response to the question about Viet Nam’s reaction to the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom to present the Media Freedom Award to Pham Thi Doan Trang, who has previously violated the Vietnamese law,Ms. Pham Thu Hang, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that:

As constantly reiterated, the State of Viet Nam always pays keen attention to the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and the right of access to information. This is stipulated in the Constitution and relevant legal documents, and exercised inViet Nam’s political, economic and social life. It is also clearly demonstrated in the remarkable development of the Vietnamese press in recent years.

Pham Thi Doan Trang was arrested and tried in court for serious and repeated violations of the law. She has engaged with overseas organizations and individuals andissued illegal publications to spread, instruct and inciteattempts to overthrow the people's government. Pham Thi Doan Trang's behaviorstherefore pose a threat to the society.

We believe that thepresentation of this Awardby the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UKto an individual whohas violatedtheVietnamese law is an unobjective andunsuitableact,and is not conducive to the strengthening of bilateral relations with Viet Nam.