The 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HURC), the longest session of the HRC ever (February 26 - April 5), has just ended successfully with a dense and ambitious agenda.
Vietnam, as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, has made positive contributions throughout the Session, leaving its mark in 2024 and beyond, contributing to building the image of Vietnam as always proactive and responsible in promoting global human rights values.
 |
| United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the High-Level Session of the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. (Source: X Network) |
32 resolutions and 2 decisions
If at the opening session of the Session, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, President of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis and many leaders of countries called for the spirit of "immediate action" of the international community in the face of the alarming situation of human rights in many regions of the world, then immediately, the discussions in the session promoted that spirit with many practical solutions proposed with 32 resolutions and 2 important decisions.
This session successfully held a high-level meeting; 7 thematic discussions - on universalizing human rights, combating religious hatred leading to incitement of discrimination, hostility, violence, challenges and good practices to ensure social security rights and provide quality public services, rights of people with disabilities; 2 discussions on children's rights; commemorating the International Day against Racial Discrimination; discussions and dialogues with about 36 special procedures and human rights mechanisms of the United Nations; discussions and dialogues on the human rights situation in countries around the world.
At the Session, the Human Rights Council also reviewed and discussed about 80 reports; consulted and approved 32 draft thematic resolutions; approved reports of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of 14 countries; approved the decision to postpone some activities of the Human Rights Council and the form of the meeting combining online and in-person.
One of the notable resolutions, which received widespread support from international public opinion, was the Resolution of the UNSC demanding a halt to arms sales to Israel. In the context of the “hot spot” of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which is causing human rights issues that are of great concern to the international community, the resolution demanding a halt to arms sales to Israel was adopted on April 5, 2024, right before the end of the session.
It calls on countries to “end the sale and transfer of arms, ammunition and other military equipment to Israel”. The text states that this is necessary “to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and human rights violations and abuses”. 28 of the 48 member states of the Council voted in favour, 13 abstained and 6 voted against. This marks the first time the UN’s top human rights body has taken a position on the bloodiest Gaza war to date.
In addition, the UNSC also passed a number of important resolutions related to Ukraine, Syria, Haiti, Mali, Belarus, South Sudan, etc. Hopefully, with the high determination of the international community, human rights issues in many hot spots around the world will soon find a way out.
| The Human Rights Council reviewed and discussed about 80 reports; consulted and approved 32 draft thematic resolutions; approved reports of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of 14 countries; approved the decision to postpone some activities of the Human Rights Council and the form of the meeting combining online and in-person. |
Responsible, proactive, make an impression
It can be affirmed that throughout the Session, Vietnam has always promoted a sense of responsibility, proactiveness, and made substantial and timely contributions in many important sessions, creating many outstanding impressions. Vietnam's initiatives, statements and proposals have received widespread support, sponsorship and endorsement from other countries.
 |
| Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks at the High-Level Session of the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 26 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo: Nhat Phong) |
Notably, at the high-level meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son mentioned Vietnam as a "success story" in its efforts to ensure human rights in the context of many regional and international fluctuations, where ensuring human rights faces many challenges.
The Minister reaffirmed Vietnam's priorities when participating in the UN Human Rights Council, including the protection of vulnerable groups, gender equality, digital transformation and human rights. In particular, in a positive spirit and with a strong commitment to the work of the Human Rights Council, Minister Bui Thanh Son announced and called on countries to support Vietnam's re-election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term.
In addition, across the "hot" topics of this session of the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam actively spoke and discussed such as the right to a clean and sustainable environment; the right to food; cultural rights; the rights of people with disabilities; the rights of children... Along with that, Vietnam also actively contacted, exchanged, and consulted with delegations of other countries, co-sponsored a number of initiatives in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation; performed the duties of a UN Human Rights Council member in consulting and voting to approve 32 draft resolutions and 2 decisions of the UN Human Rights Council.
Not only did the Vietnamese delegation speak and contribute their opinions from Vietnam’s perspective, they also participated constructively in the discussion sessions in the spirit of being an ASEAN member. This has been and is being integrated by Vietnam into its activities at many important agencies of the United Nations. This time, together with ASEAN countries, the Vietnamese delegation made a joint statement on the topic of common interest and sharing among ASEAN countries in the field of fisheries exploitation and ensuring food rights.
The Vietnamese representative shared many ASEAN initiatives to support the activities of small-scale fishermen, including the ASEAN Fisheries Cooperation Strategic Action Plan (2021-2025). In addition, the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on Strengthening Food and Nutrition Security in Crisis Response, adopted in September 2023, emphasized the commitment to facilitate access to finance for fishermen, to improve the long-term resilience and sustainability of the fisheries sector.
 |
Ambassador Mai Phan Dung spoke on behalf of the Core Group on Human Rights and Climate Change, including Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, during a dialogue session on the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of the right to food. (Source: VNA) |
Viet Nam also spoke on behalf of the Core Group on Human Rights and Climate Change – comprising Viet Nam, Bangladesh and the Philippines – in a dialogue session on the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the topic of measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the enjoyment of the right to food.
Accordingly, the representative of Vietnam affirmed that ensuring food security is always a top priority for countries, especially in the context of challenges caused by climate change that exacerbate vulnerability to hunger and malnutrition. Next June, Vietnam, together with Bangladesh and the Philippines, will submit a draft annual resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change at the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Confidently run for the 2026-2028 term
A highlight of Vietnam at this session was Minister Bui Thanh Son's announcement and call on countries to support Vietnam's re-election as a member of the UNSC for the 2026-2028 term. With Vietnam's efforts and contributions to the UNSC in recent times, Vietnam can be confident in continuing to make important contributions to the UNSC in the future.
 |
| Ms. Ramla Khalidi, in her opening speech at the International Consultation Workshop on the Draft National Report under the UPR Mechanism Cycle IV of Vietnam, November 24, 2023. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Ramla Khalidi, in her opening remarks at the International Consultation Workshop on the Draft National Report under the UPR Cycle IV of Vietnam on November 24, 2023, expressed: “I hope that Vietnam will continue to demonstrate its leading role in protecting and promoting human rights both domestically and at the global level.”
As a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, Vietnam has participated 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 responsibly fulfilled its obligations and main rights as a member state of the Human Rights Council during the process of negotiating and voting to pass draft resolutions.
In 2023 alone, Vietnam's 6 outstanding initiatives at all 3 regular sessions of the UNSC are of great significance, closely linked to our country's key priorities in participating in the UNSC, contributing to enhancing the image of Vietnam as a responsible and active member of the international community.
Of particular importance in 2023 for the Human Rights Council is the initiative for the Resolution Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th Anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which was adopted by consensus by the Human Rights Council, with 121 co-sponsors. At the High-level Session of the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council on February 27, 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang proposed the initiative to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th Anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action with a document of the Human Rights Council.
Vietnam has had a constructive approach to human rights issues that are still diverse, politicized, and have many conflicts at the UNSC, 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 needs for cooperation and technical assistance of countries, promoting cooperation and dialogue so that the Human Rights Council can act to meet the legitimate needs of countries in this field.
Thus, 2024 - the pivotal year of Vietnam's 2023-2025 term as a member of the Human Rights Council - has had a successful start with many Vietnamese imprints at the 55th Session. Although there are still many difficulties and challenges, with high determination, we can be confident in the future. "Vietnam will certainly continue to make important contributions to the Human Rights Council, leaving 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", Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet affirmed in an article about Vietnam's imprint at the Human Rights Council recently.
 |
| Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet chaired a press conference to announce the National Report under the universal periodic review mechanism, cycle IV, on April 15. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
The resolution calling for a halt to arms sales to Israel was adopted on April 5, 2024, just before the end of the session. Accordingly, it calls on countries to “end the sale and transfer of weapons, ammunition and other military equipment to Israel.” The text stated that this was necessary “to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and human rights violations and abuses”. Twenty-eight of the 48 member states of the Council voted in favor, with 13 abstaining and six voting against. The move marks the first time the UN's top human rights body has taken a position on the bloodiest-ever Gaza war. |
Source
Comment (0)