Vietnam Officials Accused of Sexual Assault in NZ

On December 12, 2024, New Zealand police revealed that two Vietnamese officials are accused of sexually assaulting two women in Wellington. The incident allegedly occurred on March 4, 2024, at a Vietnamese restaurant linked to preparations for a visit by Vietnam's Prime Minister. The accused reportedly fled New Zealand before being identified, raising questions about legal accountability. Concurrently, Vietnam ranks among the countries with the highest number of imprisoned journalists, highlighting a worrying trend in human rights violations. Activists and legal experts in Vietnam call for accountability and recognition of civil liberties as the government faces criticism for its treatment of dissenting voices. Updates on other human rights cases mirror these concerns, with reports of increased governmental oppression. This situation draws parallels to the experience of watching a once-bustling river shrink, as freedoms and rights ebb away, leaving communities to grapple with the aftermath.