Affirming human rights achievements, spreading to the world (Part 2)

Vietnam's human rights achievements cannot be denied.

In addition to efforts to build and perfect human rights institutions, Vietnam has achieved many achievements in ensuring human rights in all aspects of social life. Civil, economic, political and cultural human rights in Vietnam are clearly defined in the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws and policies. The people's rights to vote, stand for election and participate in state and social management are promoted. The rights to freedom of speech, freedom of the press and information; freedom of belief and religion; equality of ethnic groups; the right to life, respect for human dignity and inviolability of the body; the right to freedom of movement and residence... of the people are respected. Vietnam has been successful in socio-economic development and ensuring human rights. Specifically as follows:

Firstly, the work of hunger eradication and poverty reduction has achieved remarkable results; people's lives have been increasingly improved. The poverty rate has decreased from nearly 60% in 1986 to less than 3% in 2022. GDP per capita has increased from 86 USD in 1986 to 4,110 USD in 2022. Our country has reached the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations ahead of schedule; truly becoming a bright spot in the world , recognized and highly appreciated by the people of the whole country and the international community.

Lesson 2: Affirming human rights achievements, spreading to the world -0

Second, the quality of social security is increasingly improved. Ensuring social security has shifted from humanitarian assistance to ensuring citizens' rights to social security. The number of people receiving regular social assistance increases annually and reaches 3.3 million people in 2022. In 3 years of preventing and fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, support has been provided with an amount of over 120,000 billion VND and over 200,000 tons of rice for over 68 million people in difficulty. The State plays a leading role and mobilizes and promotes the important role of individuals, businesses, and society. Resources have been allocated about 20% of the total annual state budget expenditure for social policies. Vietnam has completed many Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ahead of schedule. According to the United Nations, the Human Development Index (HDI) in Vietnam has continuously increased every year and is currently in the high human development group, ranked 115/191 countries and territories...

Third, the coverage of social insurance and unemployment insurance is constantly expanding. The rate of participation in social insurance in 2022 will reach 38.08% and unemployment insurance will reach 31.18% of the working-age workforce; the rate of participation in voluntary social insurance has increased to 1.46 million people to date. People have increasingly better access to basic social services. Regarding education, 99% of children attending primary school at the right age have been enrolled since 2015, and over 95% of children attending secondary school since 2020. In 2022, 92% of people will participate in health insurance; 90% of children under 1 year old will be fully vaccinated... Regarding housing, by 2020, housing support has been provided for 648,000 poor rural households and 323,000 houses for the poor and people in difficult circumstances.

Fourth, freedom of belief and religion is promoted. Up to now, Vietnam has 43 organizations belonging to 16 different religions with over 26.7 million followers, over 55,000 dignitaries, about 135,000 officials; over 29,000 places of worship. In addition, every year in our country there are over 8,000 festivals on belief and religion, gathering tens of thousands of followers to participate; State agencies create maximum conditions for freedom of belief and religion activities in accordance with the law.

Fifth, in implementing gender equality, women are one of the priority subjects in Vietnam's development strategy. In 2022, Vietnam ranked 60th in the world, ranked 4th in Asia and ranked first in the Inter-Parliamentary Union Council of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in terms of the proportion of women participating in elected bodies; ranked 3rd in the ASEAN region and 47th out of 187 countries in the world participating in the ranking of gender equality in politics and management. In the economic field, women have the same labor and employment opportunities as men. In general, the material and spiritual life of the people has been significantly improved; the country's appearance has changed in many positive directions; political security, order and social safety have been maintained; the economy and society have developed comprehensively and harmoniously. That is why it has strengthened people's trust, affirming that human rights under the socialist regime in our country are always cared for, focused on, and effectively implemented.

Actively contribute to the United Nations human rights activities

Along with the above achievements, Vietnam has also actively participated and been a responsible member in the activities of the United Nations Human Rights Council since its establishment in 2006. Notably, we have actively participated in the activities of the Human Rights Council, promoted initiatives that have shown their mark and been highly appreciated by the international community, especially participating in the Core Group at the Human Rights Council on "Climate Change and Human Rights", successfully assuming the role of a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term, contributing to protecting national interests and enhancing the position and prestige of Vietnam in the international arena. It is no coincidence that more than a year ago, on October 11, 2022 in New York, Vietnam was the only candidate representing ASEAN to be elected with a high number of votes, becoming a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term. Vietnam has promoted the election message of "Respect and understanding, dialogue and cooperation, all human rights for all people", which has received agreement and support from many countries.

In early April 2023, at the headquarters of the United Nations Office in Geneva (Switzerland), the 52nd regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council completed the agenda set out at the beginning of the session with 43 resolutions adopted, including the Resolution on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The resolution is a prominent mark of Vietnam at the session as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, demonstrating Vietnam's substantial and responsible contribution to the work of the Human Rights Council. The resolution conveyed many important and positive messages, including further strengthening international cooperation and solidarity in the face of conflicts and deep divisions in some regions of the world in recent times.

Participating in international conventions on human rights is a regular and consistent policy of Vietnam, demonstrating Vietnam's commitment and strong political determination in ensuring and implementing international legal standards on human rights. In particular, after becoming a member of the United Nations in 1977, Vietnam has actively and proactively participated in most international conventions on human rights. To date, we have ratified and joined 7/9 fundamental conventions of the United Nations on human rights; ratified and joined 25 conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO), including 7/8 fundamental conventions. Vietnam is truly a bright spot, a pioneer in implementing commitments.

Vietnam strictly complies with the obligations of international conventions to which Vietnam is a member or participant. We have successfully submitted and defended all national reports related to international conventions on human rights. Vietnam's achievements in ensuring human rights have been highly appreciated by the international community. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres once assessed: "Vietnam is an important partner of the United Nations, having made many substantive and effective contributions to UN peacekeeping activities. This good relationship needs to be further strengthened in the coming time to promote peace, sustainable development and human rights in the world".

Vietnam is always open to learning and striving to do its best in ensuring human rights for all people. In a number of official reports of Vietnam to the United Nations human rights agencies, it has frankly pointed out the difficulties Vietnam has encountered in human rights work, thereby proposing solutions for improvement in the coming time. In reality, no country in the world considers itself an absolute guarantee of human rights.

Although we have achieved many socio-economic achievements and the synchronous participation of the entire political system in improving the quality of people's lives, the country's resources are still limited, so investment in infrastructure for culture, education, science, health, etc. is still lacking, affecting the full enjoyment of people's rights, especially in mountainous areas, islands, remote areas, and ethnic minority areas.

Looking back, from a country devastated by war and embargoed, after more than 37 years of renovation, Vietnam has overcome many difficulties and challenges, risen strongly, achieved great achievements in socio-economic development, and people's lives have been increasingly improved. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of International Human Rights Day (December 10, 1948 - December 10, 2023), the Party, State and people of Vietnam have the right to be proud of the achievements in promoting and protecting human rights; repelling acts of sabotage, false and distorted arguments.

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