Vietnam’s Human Rights Progress Acknowledged in UN Review

Geneva, The Gulf Observer: A high-level Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt participated in a significant dialogue concerning Việt Nam’s national report within the framework of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism in Geneva on Tuesday.

In his inaugural address and presentation of Việt Nam’s national report, Việt expressed profound pride in participating in the dialogue on the momentous occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory. This historic event took place at the UN headquarters, which serves as a symbol of pivotal negotiations such as the signing of the 1954 Geneva Accords. Việt emphasized the historical significance of the location, marking key milestones in the national liberation struggle and anti-imperialist endeavors of the Vietnamese people and various nations worldwide.

Việt reiterated Việt Nam’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding and advancing human rights, with a fundamental principle of placing people at the forefront, as the core, goal, and impetus of its renewal and development trajectory. He underscored Việt Nam’s remarkable journey from a developing nation to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, deeply enmeshed in the global community.

Since the third UPR cycle in 2019, Việt Nam has continuously refined its legal framework and policies pertaining to human rights, resulting in tangible advancements across various spheres. Việt highlighted significant progress in areas such as healthcare, education, social security, freedom of religion and belief, press freedom, Internet accessibility, and gender equality. He noted improvements in Việt Nam’s rankings on the UN’s Human Development Index (HDI) and Gender Equality Index (GEI).

Furthermore, Việt underscored the Vietnamese Government’s proactive implementation of policies and measures aimed at safeguarding public health, fostering post-pandemic socio-economic recovery, actively promoting the transition to a green and digital economy, and fulfilling Việt Nam’s international human rights commitments.

The dialogue garnered substantial interest from representatives of over 130 participating nations, who extended congratulations to Việt Nam on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory and acknowledged its achievements in human rights promotion, economic development, social justice, and human rights education.

During the dialogue, the Vietnamese delegation addressed numerous inquiries and provided additional insights on matters of mutual interest, including sustainable development goals, inclusive and green economies, Internet and social network development, freedom of expression and information access, labor rights, the role of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuracy, freedom of religion and belief, fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and efforts to combat human trafficking and support ethnic minorities.

Subsequently, Việt Nam received approximately 300 recommendations encompassing a wide spectrum of human rights issues.

The UNHRC’s UPR Working Group is scheduled to review a report on Việt Nam’s assessment on May 10, followed by submission to the UNHRC for official adoption during the council’s 57th session in September-October.