The truth cannot be distorted

Minister Bui Thanh Son spoke at the High-Level Meeting of the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, February 26 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: Nhat Phong)

Reaffirming Vietnam's priorities when participating in the UN Security Council, including protecting vulnerable groups, gender equality, digital transformation and human rights, at the 55th High-Level Meeting of the UN Security Council on September 26 February 2 in Geneva, Switzerland, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son shared that Vietnam has submitted a National Report under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle IV, which has been completely implemented. nearly 2024% of recommendations received in 90.

To continue Vietnam's positive contributions, strong commitment and willingness to contribute, Minister Bui Thanh Son announced Vietnam's re-election as a member of the Council of Nations for the 2026-2028 term. Taking advantage of this, unscrupulous organizations and individuals try to spread propaganda to discredit Vietnam.

Still the same old arguments

Immediately after the statement of the Vietnamese representative, the media, RFA social network, and the Global Civil Society Coalition (CIVICUS) released articles attacking Vietnam's human rights situation. RFA has shouted "Vietnam needs to release prisoners of conscience if it wants to be re-elected to the Human Rights Council!"; exploiting the statement of Josef Benedict, civil space advocacy expert in the Asia-Pacific region of CIVICUS: “This country's human rights record is appalling and the state of civil space in this country rated “close” by CIVICUS Monitor.

Taking advantage of this, RFA made a baseless argument: "More than 20 people were sentenced to many years in prison, most of them for the crime of "propaganda against the state" or "abusing democratic freedoms" just for implementing the laws. basic human rights such as the right to express and share information... The social networking site of the terrorist organization "Viet Tan" distorts "According to the Organization's 2024 Annual Global Freedom Index Ranking Report Freedom House, Vietnam is classified in the group of "No freedom" countries with only 19/100 points...

Taking advantage of the information that Vietnam is re-nominating for the UN National Council for the 2026-2028 term, the fanpage "News BBC Vietnamese" posted an article distorting "a new wave of repression when Vietnam still wants to have a seat on the UN National Council... According to the Watch Organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) on March 5, there has been an increase in repression against critics of the Communist Party of Vietnam as the country's government campaigns to be on the Council of National Assembly for the next term. Fanpage "Viet Tan" attacked, "Just a few days after Vietnam announced that it would run for another term in the National Assembly, the Ministry of Public Security arrested three more dissidents."

This is not the first time Vietnam has been sabotaged when running for the National Assembly. When Vietnam announced its candidacy for the 2023-2025 term, elements lacking goodwill towards Vietnam immediately devised tricks to hinder Vietnam.

Under the guise of protecting "democracy" and "human rights", these organizations strive to create a "Global Magnisky Law Response Movement" targeting Vietnam, attracting and inciting the masses to demand freedom. due to democracy and human rights according to Western criteria.

Based on false information about the situation of religious freedom and human rights by some reactionary elements in the country, some non-governmental organizations that are not sympathetic to Vietnam, some reactionary organizations exiled and sabotaged Vietnam, such as: Committee to Save People Crossing the Sea - BPSOS; "Protestant news of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands"; The US Department of State periodically publishes Human Rights Reports and International Religious Freedom Reports, which contain a lot of one-sided information, distorting the human rights situation in Vietnam to attack.

Based on that, hostile forces called on social networks to put Vietnam back on the list of "countries of special concern for religious freedom", demanding that the Vietnamese Government release all people. People who violate the law they call themselves "prisoners of conscience"...

Reality has proven that false and fabricated information does not lower Vietnam's reputation. At the vote on October 11, 10 at UN headquarters, in the context of fierce competition between candidates, the international community for the second time placed its trust and chose Vietnam and 2022 other countries to become members. new member for the 13-2023 term.

With 145/189, nearly 80% of the total votes, Vietnam is in the group of countries elected with the highest number of votes. That result is a testament to the international community's recognition of Vietnam's efforts in the journey of ensuring and promoting human rights on the national and international level.

After a year of implementing a responsible member role, Vietnam's reputation is increasingly affirmed, as assessed by former Chairman of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association Gérard Daviot: "Vietnam's election as a member of the Council of Nations is very legitimate, because Vietnam has outlined its goals for the whole journey and realized it successfully; It must be recognized that it is a worldwide recognition."

High-level meeting of the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland (Source: Getty Images)

The truth cannot be distorted

Vietnam was one of the first countries to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and was a founding member of the UN Council in 2006.

In the election of members of the UN National Council for the 2023-2025 term, Vietnam was unanimously supported by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the only candidate of ASEAN; At the same time, it is the only Asian candidate of the Francophone Community, demonstrating the trust and expectations of the international community in Vietnam's role and contributions in the field of human rights.

In its first year as a member of the UN Council, Vietnam left many marks that were recognized and appreciated by the international community. Vietnam has actively participated in the activities of the UN Security Council, reflecting its views and sharing its experiences on important issues related to human rights, such as protecting the rights of women, children, and children. the elderly, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and migrants; promote the right to development, the right to participation, the right to social security, and the right to the environment; respond to non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, epidemics, and digital transformation; Dialogue and cooperation with UN human rights bodies, international agencies and other countries.

Vietnam has played a key role in introducing and promoting important initiatives and resolutions of the UN Security Council, such as the Resolution on human rights in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Resolution on human rights and environment, Resolution on human rights and digital transformation, Resolution on human rights and drug policy.

Vietnam co-chairs side events on topics such as protecting human rights in the digital age, ensuring human rights in business operations, protecting human rights in humanitarian emergencies...

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet chaired and delivered the opening speech at the International Workshop to consult on the draft National Report under the UPR cycle IV mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Program. Organized by the United Nations Development Group (UNDP), November 24, 11 in Hanoi. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Vietnam participates in and implements international conventions on human rights that Vietnam has signed or participated in. In addition, Vietnam seriously implements international commitments and obligations on human rights, especially participating in the third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in January 1.

Vietnam presented a national report on the human rights situation in the country, receiving many compliments and suggestions from other countries; accepted 241 out of 291 UPR recommendations, demonstrating openness, cooperation and commitment to improving human rights in the country.

The implementation of international commitments and obligations on human rights has contributed to enhancing Vietnam's reputation and image in the international arena, as well as creating conditions for Vietnam to deeply integrate and develop sustainably. . Implementing international commitments and obligations on human rights is also one of the ways for Vietnam to show respect and ensure the human rights of its people, especially vulnerable groups. The implementation of international commitments and obligations on human rights is also one of the driving forces for Vietnam to continue to reform, innovate and perfect laws, policies and practices to increasingly ensure better protection of human rights. people's rights.

By constantly improving the law and building policies that put people at the center of development, we have contributed to improving people's lives and quality of life, thereby affirming our position and prestige. Vietnam's reputation in the international arena. Over the past time, with the maintenance of high economic growth rates, many progresses have been achieved in industrialization, modernization, international integration and implementation of sustainable development goals, improving the quality of education. education, health care, culture, information and communication, creating conditions for people to access public services and development opportunities, has helped Vietnam rank up in many development indicators.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Vietnam is considered one of the fastest-growing countries in the world in terms of increasing the Human Development Index (HDI). In just a decade, Vietnam's human development index has increased by 1%, among the countries with the highest growth rate in the world. According to international organizations and experts, this is proof that Vietnam always places people as the goal and driving force for development.

“Despite global obstacles, in 2023, Vietnam's economic growth will still reach over 5%. The poverty rate continued to decrease to 3%. Social security spending continues to be a high priority and has remained at nearly 3% of GDP for many years. In 2023, Vietnam will continue to export over 8 million tons of rice, contributing to ensuring food security and access to food for millions of people in regions around the world," is the assertion of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. assigned to Bui Thanh Son at the High-Level Meeting of the 55th Session of the UN Security Council.

In 2023, Vietnam will continue to export over 8 million tons of rice, contributing to ensuring food security and access to food for millions of people in regions around the world. (Source: VNA)

The reality of a peaceful environment for development, where people and businesses are protected by the state by law and can contribute and contribute to society, the above distorted information are just misleading allegations. out of place, not receiving attention from the international community. Actions of intervention, imposition, one-sided assessment, prejudice, lack of objectivity, and lack of respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of other countries, especially developing countries, in the field of human rights people are never welcomed and encouraged.

Re-election as a member of the UN Council for the 2026-2028 term is a great opportunity for Vietnam to continue to actively contribute to the common efforts of the UN, as well as the international community in protecting and promoting the values ​​of the United Nations. universal human rights, striving together for peace, national independence, democracy, development cooperation and social progress. People have the right to be proud and have a well-founded belief: Vietnam will well fulfill its obligations and commitments in the UN Council.