UNHRC Approves Vietnam’s National Report

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has approved Vietnam’s National Report under the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), with the country accepting a record 84.7 percent of the recommendations made during the review. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt announced this achievement during an interview regarding the UPR outcomes.

At the session held on September 27, Vietnam accepted 271 out of 320 recommendations, marking the highest percentage accepted in all four UPR cycles. This decision highlights the nation’s steadfast commitment to the UPR process and its ongoing efforts to protect and promote human rights.

The session saw participation from representatives of approximately 90 countries, international organizations, and NGOs, with the majority praising Vietnam’s efforts and openness. The country presented updates on significant progress in legal reforms and socio-economic development, aimed at strengthening human rights protections.

In response to allegations raised by a minority of NGOs during the session, the Vietnamese delegation firmly refuted unverified claims, emphasizing its commitment to fostering an environment that enables citizens to engage actively in legal policy-making.

A notable moment during the session was when several countries expressed solidarity with the Vietnamese people in light of the recent devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi. Additionally, many delegates commended Vietnam’s active participation in the UPR dialogue at the UNHRC in Geneva in 2024, which marks the 70th anniversary of the historic Điện Biên Phủ victory and the signing of the Geneva Agreement that ended the war and restored peace in Indochina.

Participants recognized Vietnam’s long struggle for self-determination and its ongoing journey toward independence, freedom, and happiness as foundational elements for the protection and promotion of human rights in the country today. They welcomed the substantial acceptance of recommendations as a reflection of Vietnam’s strong commitment to the UPR process and broader human rights efforts.

Countries acknowledged Vietnam’s advancements in sustainable development, gender equality, and protection of vulnerable groups, emphasizing its multidimensional approach to poverty reduction. Several nations encouraged Vietnam to share its valuable experiences in effectively engaging with the UPR process with others.

Việt expressed that the comprehensive, objective, and reality-based assessments of Vietnam signify the international community’s positive interest and understanding of the country’s people, history, culture, and development trajectory.

Moving forward, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with relevant ministries and agencies to formulate a comprehensive plan for implementing the accepted recommendations. This plan will include specific responsibilities, progress monitoring mechanisms, and a mid-term review to ensure optimal execution of the recommendations. Vietnam remains committed to cooperating with the UN, international partners, and friendly nations to mobilize additional resources for the successful implementation of these recommendations.