Vietnam's mark in its first year as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council

On the occasion of Vietnam's first year as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet assessed and commented on Vietnam's achievements over the past year and future directions.

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Thứ trưởng Ngoại giao Đỗ Hùng Việt. (Ảnh: Bộ Ngoại giao)

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet said that Vietnam has actively participated, leaving its mark right from the first activities, with many initiatives in line with Vietnam's priorities and the world's common concerns, highly appreciated by the international community.

At the 52nd Session opening the term of the Human Rights Council (March-April 2023), Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang attended the High-level Meeting and introduced the initiative to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA).

On that basis, Vietnam chaired and led the Core Group of 14 inter-regional countries with diverse development levels to draft and organize consultations for the Human Rights Council to unanimously adopt Resolution 52/19 on this issue with the co-sponsorship of 121 countries - a "record" of the Human Rights Council in recent years.

Vietnam also participates more deeply in common work, promoting dialogue and cooperation at the Human Rights Council in the spirit of "Respect and understanding. Dialogue and cooperation. All rights. For all people".

Vietnam has made more than 80 national statements at meetings of the Human Rights Council on ensuring human rights in aspects of concern to the international community. These include: Sustainable development, responding to climate change, migration, promoting gender equality, ensuring the right to housing, the right to food, the right to culture, the right to development, and protecting vulnerable groups.

Phó Thủ tướng Trần Lưu Quang dự Phiên họp cấp cao khoá 52 Hội đồng Nhân quyền Liên Hợp Quốc (LHQ) tại Geneva, Thụy Sĩ. (Ảnh: VGP/Hải Minh)

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang attends the 52nd High-Level Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: VGP/Hai Minh)

Mr. Do Hung Viet emphasized: "Vietnam has responsibly fulfilled its obligations and rights as a member state of the Human Rights Council during the process of negotiating and voting to pass draft resolutions."

Vietnam has had a constructive approach to human rights issues that are still diverse, politicized, and have many conflicts at the Human Rights Council, such as the situation of specific countries (Ukraine, Russia, Palestine, Sudan, etc.), the relationship between development and human rights, reproductive health and sex education, the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, religious tolerance, etc.

On the one hand, Vietnam contributes to the common struggle of developing countries to protect the principle of non-politicization and non-use of human rights issues to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign states. On the other hand, Vietnam has listened to and respected the countries' need for cooperation and technical assistance, and promoted cooperation and dialogue so that the Human Rights Council can act to meet the legitimate needs of countries in this field.

According to Deputy Minister Do Viet Hung, Vietnam's contributions at the Human Rights Council have helped the international community better understand our efforts and commitments in protecting and promoting human rights, thereby promoting our cooperative relations with other countries and international organizations.

The contents of cooperation at the Human Rights Council have been promoted by countries, including major partners, in exchanges with Vietnam, including in foreign affairs activities of high-ranking Vietnamese leaders. Friendly countries, partners, and countries with similar views, ASEAN, etc. have also promoted existing exchange mechanisms or organized new activities to have in-depth exchanges with Vietnam on cooperation at the Human Rights Council.

Mr. Do Hung Viet said that the position of a member of the Human Rights Council also helps us mobilize countries to support us in fighting against activities that distort the situation in Vietnam at United Nations mechanisms and forums.

"Although a longer part of the journey is still ahead, with many difficulties and challenges, at this point, it can be said that the first year of assuming the role of a member of the Human Rights Council 2023-2025 is a success for Vietnam with many marks," Mr. Hung commented.

According to Deputy Minister Do Viet Hung, 2024 is a pivotal year for the 2023-2025 term of membership of the Human Rights Council, with many key activities such as presenting and dialogue on the National Report under the UPR Mechanism Cycle IV, continuing to promote initiatives and priorities, especially initiatives on climate change and human rights, combined with the work of mobilizing countries to continue supporting Vietnam's first re-election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term.

"With strong determination, strength from the solidarity and close coordination of the entire political system under the attention and close direction of the Party and State leaders, Vietnam will certainly continue to make important contributions to the Human Rights Council, making its mark in 2024 and beyond, contributing to building a strong, comprehensive, modern, professional Vietnamese foreign affairs and diplomacy and raising the level of multilateral foreign affairs in the spirit of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and Directive 25-CT/TW of the Secretariat", Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet affirmed.

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