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| Vietnam and Australia held the 19th Round of the Human Rights Dialogue. |
On July 30, Vietnam and Australia held the 19th Round of the Vietnam-Australia Human Rights Dialogue in Canberra, Australia.
The dialogue was co-chaired by the Australian Ambassador for Human Rights, Ms. Bronte Moules, and the Director General of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, Mr. Pham Hai Anh. The delegations from both sides included representatives from various sectors, among them the Australian Human Rights Commission.
The dialogue took place in a sincere, frank, and constructive manner, discussing civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
The discussions covered the importance of promoting and protecting freedom of expression, association, and assembly; each country's approach to human rights; updates on the rule of law and legal reforms; policies protecting the rights of women and children; Indigenous Australians and ethnic minorities in Vietnam; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community; and persons with disabilities. Vietnam and Australia also discussed each country's approach to the death penalty.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of current cooperation between the two countries within the multilateral system, including the United Nations human rights forums. They also discussed opportunities for cooperation and Australian support in strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights in Vietnam, including through programs supported by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Dialogue is an important part of the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Australia. This year's dialogue is particularly significant, as it is being held for the first time after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced the upgrading of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in accordance with international law, and to strengthening and contributing to the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
The dialogue acknowledges the important role of mass media, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders in making positive contributions to each society.
Vietnam and Australia also committed to continuing cooperation to promote inclusive societies that respect and guarantee equal opportunities and respect for human rights for all without any form of discrimination. This was discussed during the fourth cycle of Vietnam's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism at the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2024.
Australia encourages Vietnam to accept and implement the recommendations made by Australia, including the enactment of legislation to ensure the right to peaceful assembly in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Vietnam emphasizes that it is in the process of reviewing all received recommendations to consider accepting those that are appropriate, based on their conformity with the Vietnamese Constitution and laws, including Article 25 of the Constitution on the right to assembly.
During their time in Australia, the Vietnamese delegation met with Commissioners and senior officials of the Australian Human Rights Commission and visited the Silverwater Correctional Facility in Sydney.
Vietnam and Australia are both looking forward to participating in the 20th Round of the Human Rights Dialogue, which will be held in Vietnam in 2025.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/vong-19-doi-thoai-nhan-quyen-viet-nam-australia-281121.html
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