UPR mechanism: Vietnam affirms its pioneering role in protecting human rights

The United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2006, is one of the most important tools for monitoring and improving the global human rights situation. As a member state of the United Nations, Vietnam has actively participated in UPR cycles and achieved many remarkable achievements, demonstrating its firm commitment to international human rights standards.

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Discussion and exchange to improve the effectiveness of participation in the UPR mechanism

Since joining the UPR mechanism, Vietnam has successfully completed three review cycles (2009, 2014, 2019). In May 2024, in Geneva (Switzerland), the Working Group on the UPR mechanism cycle IV of the United Nations Human Rights Council unanimously adopted Vietnam's UPR National Report. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies are currently reviewing and submitting to the Prime Minister for approval Vietnam's stance on the recommendations, which are expected to be announced at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council in October 2024. At this session, the Human Rights Council will officially adopt the Report on the results of the UPR review of Vietnam.

Vietnam has made great efforts to improve its legal system on human rights. (Illustration photo: VNA)

Vietnam has demonstrated its efforts to fulfill its national obligations in protecting human rights through the preparation of national reports, receiving and handling recommendations from the Human Rights Council and the international community.

Vietnam has agreed with many recommendations related to areas such as women's rights, children's rights, ethnic minority rights and labor rights. Active participation in international dialogues and acceptance of recommendations have demonstrated Vietnam's spirit of openness and readiness to cooperate.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai, Institute of Human Rights - Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics , Vietnam has received a total of 636 recommendations through three review cycles. In the third cycle in 2019 alone, Vietnam received 291 recommendations from 122 countries.

After each UPR session, Vietnam has shown its goodwill and serious commitment to implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights Council. To implement the third UPR recommendations, on December 31, 2019, the Prime Minister issued Decision 1975/QD-TTg promulgating the Master Plan for implementing the recommendations that Vietnam has accepted, assigning direct and specific tasks to 18 ministries and branches to implement these recommendations. Through the implementation of UPR recommendations, Vietnam has achieved a number of positive results in promoting and implementing human rights in Vietnam. Some clear results can be mentioned: in terms of legislation, the 2013 Constitution and many laws of Vietnam have been amended and supplemented to be more compatible with international law on human rights. Based on the recommendations of the UPR cycles 1 and 2 on strengthening human rights education, in 2017 the Prime Minister approved the "Project to integrate human rights content into the education program in the national education system" according to Decision No. 1309/QD-TTg dated September 5, 2017.

"Vietnam's participation in the Human Rights Council for two terms as well as Vietnam's commitment to the UPR process shows that Vietnam has been more proactive in accepting global "rules of the game" on human rights in the process of international integration. At the same time, participating in the United Nations human rights mechanism is also an important opportunity for Vietnam to make concrete efforts in promoting, protecting and implementing human rights domestically," commented Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/co-che-upr-viet-nam-khang-dinh-vai-tro-tien-phong-trong-bao-ve-quyen-con-nguoi-205359.html