According to Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, reports by United Nations agencies and relevant parties on Vietnam have a lot of content built on unverified information, making inadequate judgments. objective about the situation in Vietnam.
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| The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs disagrees with misleading reports about human rights in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
The above information was stated by the Deputy Minister at the press conference announcing the national report according to the 4th cycle universal periodic review (UPR) mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on the afternoon of April 15. Also at the press conference, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet answered many reporters' questions related to the UPR cycle IV report.
The UPR is one of the most important mechanisms of the Human Rights Council, with the task of reviewing the human rights situation in all United Nations member countries, thereby encouraging countries to fully implement their obligations, Committed to human rights on the principles of dialogue, cooperation, equality, objectivity and transparency.
Many contents have not been verified and lack objectivity
Regarding the request to comment on reports of United Nations agencies and relevant parties on Vietnam under the UPR cycle IV mechanism, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet said, related to reports of United Nations organizations. country in Vietnam, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam made a statement on April 11.
The Deputy Minister stated that one of the fundamental principles of modern international relations and recognized in the United Nations Charter is the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of countries. And one of the fundamental principles of Vietnamese relations between Vietnam and countries around the world is respect for each other's political institutions.
"I resolutely reject opinions, suggestions, and recommendations that violate this rule," the Deputy Minister emphasized.
Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet clearly stated that he did not agree with many other opinions in that report. Because according to him, the reports have a lot of content built on unverified information, making objective assessments about the situation in Vietnam.
Accordingly, Vietnam organized many consultation workshops to gather opinions, but the organizations did not participate in that process, and were not even present in Vietnam, but they sent a lot of misleading information about their assessments. situation of Vietnam.
"For Vietnam's national report, we have had a very extensive consultation process with all relevant parties to consolidate and build Vietnam's report," the Deputy Minister said.
On the contrary, all other reports of United Nations agencies are not conducted openly, transparently, and are not fully consulted the way Vietnam conducts its national reports. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Vietnam is absolutely not allowed to participate in any consultation on the content of those reports.
"While we are very transparent, public, and ensure inclusiveness with the participation of all stakeholders, other reports are not conducted in the same way," Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet affirmed. .
The leader of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the principles when making the UPR are "dialogue, equality, objectivity and transparency", and at the same time, hoped that international organizations and diplomatic representative agencies of other countries would consider Be cautious when using information in reports and use verified information sources.
“It is the ambassadors - those who are directly present in Vietnam, witnessing the changes, progress, and progress of Vietnam every day and every hour - will bring the most complete and objective information to the Governments. Government in the process of exchanging and making recommendations to Vietnam at the Human Rights Council in the coming time," the Deputy Minister said.
Many advantages, but not without challenges
According to Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet, the process of implementing the UPR cycle III recommendations that Vietnam has approved and developing the UPR cycle IV Report includes 4 advantages.
first, the Party and State's consistent policy and direction is to protect and promote human rights. The 13th Party Congress determined to put people at the center of development policies; Considering people as the most precious capital, taking care of people is the highest goal of striving, creating a stronger foundation to ensure human rights. In addition, the increasingly perfect legal framework has created an important foundation to better ensure the people's basic rights and freedoms.
Monday, our country has achieved many outstanding achievements in socio-economic development, people's lives have continuously been prioritized, and the country's position and strength have been enhanced.
Tuesday, Seriously and actively implementing international commitments on human rights, including implementing international human rights treaties to which Vietnam is a member and the Sustainable Development Goals, is also a supplement and support the process of implementing UPR recommendations.
And finally, throughout the UPR process, Vietnam has received cooperation, companionship, support and support from other countries, international organizations and the United Nations. On this occasion, we would like to thank our partners and hope that this positive and constructive cooperation and sharing will continue to be promoted and become stronger in the coming time.
The Deputy Minister said that besides the above advantages, there still exist certain difficulties in the process of implementing UPR cycle III recommendations.
The biggest difficulty is the Covid-19 pandemic, which has a profound and comprehensive impact on all aspects of socio-economic life globally and regionally, including Vietnam. In that context, Vietnam faces many difficulties in terms of resources for development, while still having to cope with climate change, extreme weather patterns and many other global problems that seriously affect livelihoods. people's plans.
Besides, at times and places, the awareness of people and officials at all levels about protecting and promoting human rights may not be given due attention.
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| Press conference to announce the national report under the 4th cycle universal periodic review (UPR) mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on the afternoon of April 15. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Important factor
Regarding the participation of relevant parties in the UPR process in Vietnam, the Deputy Minister said that in the past cycle as well as previous cycles, the full participation and widespread consultation of relevant parties is an important factor and is always facilitated.
Along with the openness and transparency of focal agencies implementing recommendations, socio-political organizations and people's organizations have shown a positive and proactive role in this process.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has organized a number of workshops to share international experiences and consult on the content of the Report in a comprehensive and transparent manner with the participation and comments of ministries, branches and political organizations - society, professional organizations, non-governmental organizations, development partners and citizens; At the same time, open a channel to receive comments via mail, email and receive many constructive comments. In addition, a number of ministries and branches have also organized a number of conferences and seminars with content related to UPR recommendations within their scope of responsibility.
Socio-political organizations and people's organizations proactively organize information sharing activities to promote constructive participation in this process, including contributions to national reports as well as Submit reports to relevant parties.
Higher obligations and responsibilities
The UPR and the preparation of national reports as well as the implementation of those UPR recommendations are obligations of all United Nations member states.
| "Vietnam will continue to make efforts to increase its participation and contributions at the Human Rights Council in the coming time," Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet affirmed. |
The implementation of the report was also at the time of participating and becoming a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, showing that Vietnam feels even more obligated and responsible for the report.
Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet said that the process of building Vietnam's newspapers is also associated with the process of participating in the Human Rights Council today, as well as the motto set out in the campaign process, which is to ensure respect for human rights. respect, understanding, dialogue and cooperation, ensuring human rights for everyone.
In the process of preparing this report, it is consistent with Vietnam's priorities and commitments at the Human Rights Council on issues such as human rights in promoting climate change, rights of people with disabilities, and health rights. , health, anti-discrimination...
Regarding contributions to participating in the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Deputy Minister said that Vietnam also promoted a number of initiatives at the Human Rights Council. In early 2023, Vietnam successfully promoted the Council. Human Rights adopted a resolution on the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action on Human Rights. These Resolutions were adopted and agreed upon with the sponsorship participation of more than 120 member countries.
"Vietnam will continue to make efforts to increase its participation and contributions at the Human Rights Council in the coming time," the Deputy Minister affirmed.
Regarding adjustments in Vietnam's policies, the Deputy Minister said that Vietnam is always concerned and making efforts to improve its policies. gaps in ensuring human rights.
The Deputy Minister cited the 2014 Constitution as having a chapter dedicated to human rights issues. And with the Constitution, Vietnam has a relatively broad normative foundation on protecting and promoting human rights. Based on that, Vietnam has amended and supplemented more than 1 other laws and legal documents. This is a continuous process.
As mentioned in the report, from 2019 to 2023, Vietnam has amended and supplemented more than 40 laws and related legal documents.
The Deputy Minister said that Vietnam has been taking advantage of multilateral, bilateral, regional and international mechanisms to improve existing gaps. Currently, Vietnam has bilateral human rights dialogue mechanisms with the European Union, the United States, Australia, Russia, and China, and is also an intergovernmental member of ASEAN on human rights and a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. .
Holding a press conference today is also an opportunity for Vietnam to learn more about global practices and experiences to improve the human rights policy system in Vietnam.
