From May 7-10, a Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet participated in a dialogue session with Vietnam's National Report under the fourth cycle universal periodic review (UPR) mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

On the afternoon of May 9, at a regular press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said that at the dialogue session, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet presented Vietnam's national report, affirming a consistent policy on protecting and promoting human rights with the principle of "considering people as the center, the goal, and the driving force of the process of national innovation and development".

Vietnam has continued to improve its legal system and policies on human rights and has achieved many practical achievements. Vietnam also provided information on its priorities for promoting and protecting human rights in the coming time, including building a socialist rule-of-law state, administrative reform, promoting active dialogue and cooperation on human rights, and enhancing human rights education.

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Spokesperson at the press conference on the afternoon of May 9. Photo: Pham Hai

Vietnam's UPR review session received great attention with more than 130 countries participating in the dialogue. Countries acknowledged Vietnam's policies, efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights and Vietnam's serious implementation of UPR recommendations. At the same time, countries also welcomed Vietnam's achievements in economic development, including social justice, ensuring social justice and implementing measures to promote human rights enforcement.

Reject biased and biased comments

The press then asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to comment on the 2024 religious freedom report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), which said that Vietnam severely suppressed religion.

Responding to this issue, the spokesperson affirmed that Vietnam always consistently implements a policy of respecting and ensuring people's freedom of religious belief and the right to follow or not follow a religion.

"In Vietnam, no one is discriminated against on the basis of religion or belief, and the activities of religious organizations are guaranteed in accordance with the provisions of the law. This is clearly stated in the 2013 Vietnamese Constitution, the Vietnamese legal system, and is respected in practice.

Vietnam's efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, have been recognized and highly appreciated by many countries. This is also the assessment and comment of the countries participating in the dialogue session on Vietnam's national report under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism that I just mentioned above," the spokesperson said.

Vietnam rejects the biased, biased, and inaccurate assessment of the actual situation in Vietnam stated in the 2024 international religious freedom report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Ms. Hang said: "We have been and will continue to discuss with the US on issues of mutual concern in a spirit of openness, frankness, and mutual respect; contributing to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development between Vietnam and the US."

Commenting on the recent 2024 Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders, which ranked Vietnam 174th out of 180 countries and territories, spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said: "The Vietnamese State always pays attention to protecting and promoting basic human freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of access to information. This is clearly stated in the 2013 Constitution as well as other legal documents of Vietnam."

Vietnam's efforts and achievements in this field have been recognized and highly appreciated by other countries and are presented clearly, comprehensively and transparently in the UPR National Report.

"However, some organizations deliberately spread slanderous and prejudiced allegations against Vietnam with the aim of sabotaging its socio-economic development and dividing Vietnam from the international community. We resolutely oppose this," the spokesperson stated.