Undeniable evidence

The 61st regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) took place in Geneva, Switzerland, from February 23 to March 31.

Medical check-ups were provided for 400 impoverished people, and 300 gift packages were given to disadvantaged households in Ninh Dien commune, Tay Ninh province. Photo: VNA.

In a series of vibrant multilateral activities, Vietnam's active participation has been recognized by the international community as a shining example of proactiveness and responsibility, increasingly making substantive contributions to common efforts to promote and protect human rights globally.

At the session, the Vietnamese delegation actively participated in the consultation process on 38 resolutions and implemented many initiatives with high practical value. Notably, they developed and presented the Joint Statement on Gender Equality in the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), co-sponsored by 67 countries. Simultaneously, Vietnam co-chaired a side event with South Korea, Japan, and Thailand on the impact of online fraud on human rights. These are timely issues that are becoming increasingly urgent for many developing countries.

Vietnam's presence at the 61st session continues to demonstrate the consistent foreign policy of the Party and State. Prior to this, Vietnam successfully completed two terms as a member of the Human Rights Council (2014-2016 and 2023-2025), seriously participated in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, and promoted initiatives related to the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Vietnam is gradually affirming its position as a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community. Vietnam is ready to enter its term as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 period with confidence and resilience forged from its development experience and important domestic political milestones...

In practice, Vietnam's approach to human rights is realized through specific, consistent, and measurable development policies.

The United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Report notes that Vietnam's Human Development Index (HDI) has continuously improved, placing it among the countries with the highest HDI growth rates in the world. The multidimensional poverty rate has decreased rapidly, from nearly 10% in 2016 to approximately 4.5% in 2020, and continues to decline in recent years. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , Vietnam aims to maintain a multidimensional poverty reduction rate of 1-1.5% per year and ensure that 100% of poor communes escape poverty. The health insurance system covers over 95% of the population (by the end of 2025), and universal education is maintained with increasingly improved quality.

Many international experts consider Vietnam to be one of the countries that effectively links economic growth with social progress and equity. The achievements in rapid poverty reduction, expanded access to healthcare and education, and the continuous improvement of the legal system on human rights have created a foundation for inclusive development, ensuring that no one is left behind. This is also how Vietnam contributes to concretizing the universal values ​​of human rights in accordance with the country's historical, cultural, and level of development conditions. Notably, in the context of globalization and deep integration, Vietnam does not separate the implementation of human rights domestically from its international responsibilities, as demonstrated through its active participation in the UNHRC and other United Nations resolutions. From this, Vietnam both learns and contributes experience, while affirming its position as a reliable and responsible partner.

Despite tireless efforts and numerous achievements, Vietnam still faces distortion and sabotage from hostile forces and some extremist organizations and individuals lacking goodwill. One of the familiar tactics thoroughly exploited by these groups is to select isolated, individual cases, using unverified information to exaggerate them into systemic issues, attributing them to the nature of the regime, and then making biased, negative assessments of the human rights situation in Vietnam. Religion and ethnicity are sensitive areas prone to misunderstandings, often exploited to create artificial "hot spots" with baseless claims such as "religious persecution" and "discrimination against ethnic minorities." The aim is to disrupt information, undermine public trust in state policies and laws, deny the Party's leadership role, divert Vietnam's path towards socialism, and diminish Vietnam's prestige internationally.

However, the vibrant reality in Vietnam reflects a completely different picture. The State's consistent policy is to respect and guarantee the freedom of belief and religion for all citizens. By 2025, Vietnam will have 16 religions recognized by the State, with 43 registered religious organizations and over 27.7 million followers, accounting for nearly 28% of the population; thousands of places of worship have been built and renovated; and many major international religious events have been successfully organized, attracting the participation of numerous religious leaders and followers from both within and outside the country. The rich and diverse religious life, closely intertwined with social life, is an undeniable reality. Political and social stability, economic growth, and continuously improving living standards are the clearest indicators of the level of human rights protection.

In the context of increasingly sophisticated subversive activities by hostile forces, timely identification and appropriate countermeasures are crucial. Accordingly, alongside effectively refuting distorted narratives, relevant agencies must proactively provide complete and transparent information, enabling both domestic citizens and the international community to gain a comprehensive and holistic understanding. Simultaneously, further improving institutions and enhancing the effectiveness of domestic policy implementation are fundamental elements. Challenges such as development disparities between regions, ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups in the context of digital transformation, and population aging require comprehensive, long-term policies.

In a world of significant change, human rights are increasingly intertwined with global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, cybersecurity, and migration. No single nation can solve all these problems alone. With the experience of a country that has endured war and poverty and is striving to improve, Vietnam can offer practical lessons, balancing development goals with human rights protection, and national interests with international responsibilities. Participation in world forums, most recently the 61st session of the UNHRC, demonstrates Vietnam's shift from a passive to an active role, reflecting progress in its diplomatic capabilities and affirming its confidence in the development path chosen by the Party: placing people at the center, considering them both the goal and the driving force of development.

In the face of false narratives, the most convincing answer comes from the reality of development. A stable society, a growing economy, and a continuously improving standard of living are the most compelling evidence. Vietnam has sufficient grounds to be more steadfast, proactive, and responsible in its journey with the international community to promote and protect the shared values ​​of humanity.

VIETNAMESE FRAGRANCE

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nhung-minh-chung-khong-the-phu-nhan-post955424.html