Resolutely oppose slanderous and prejudiced allegations about the human rights situation in Vietnam

At a regular press conference on the afternoon of May 9, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang commented on some information related to the human rights situation in Vietnam.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang informed that from May 7-10, the Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet participated in a dialogue session with Vietnam's National Report under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

At the dialogue session, Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet presented Vietnam's national report, which affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy on protecting and promoting human rights with the principle of considering people as the center, goal and driving force of the country's innovation and development process.

This report emphasizes that since the third periodic review (2019), Vietnam has continued to improve its legal system and policies on human rights and achieved many practical achievements.

Vietnam also provided information on 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.

Vietnam's UPR review session received great attention with 130 countries participating in the dialogue. The 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 welcomed Vietnam's achievements in economic development, including social equity, ensuring social justice and implementing measures to promote the implementation of human rights.

Protestant parishioners during a meeting at a purely religious group, ensuring security and order in Giang Ly Cha village, Lai Chau. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

In Vietnam, no one is discriminated against because of religion or belief.

At a press conference, answering questions related to the 2024 religious freedom report of the International Religious Freedom Commission stating that Vietnam severely suppresses religion, Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang emphasized: Vietnam always consistently implements a policy of respecting and ensuring the right to freedom of religious belief and the right to follow or not follow a religion of the people.

“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 Constitution of Vietnam, the Vietnamese legal system, and respect in practice,” Ms. Hang affirmed.

Vietnam's policies, efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, have been recognized and highly appreciated by many countries. These are also the assessments and comments of the countries participating in the dialogue session on Vietnam's National Report under the Universal Periodic Review Mechanism, Cycle IV.

“Vietnam rejects the biased, biased, and inaccurate assessments of the actual situation in Vietnam stated in the 2024 International Religious Freedom Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom,” the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson emphasized.

Vietnam has been and will continue to discuss with the United States on issues of mutual concern in a spirit of openness, frankness, and mutual respect to contribute to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development between Vietnam and the United States.

Some organizations deliberately put out biased accusations against Vietnam.

Commenting on the recent 2024 Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders, which ranked Vietnam 174th out of 180 countries and territories, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that 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 Foreign Ministry Spokesperson emphasized.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/kien-quyet-phan-doi-nhung-luan-dieu-vu-cao-dinh-kien-ve-tinh-hinh-nhan-quyen-tai-viet-nam-270732.html