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| 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) |
In the context of the world facing many challenges in ensuring human rights, leaders together found the key to common challenges, creating the "heat" of the longest session in the history of the Human Rights Council (HURC). With a sense of responsibility, Vietnam proactively made practical contributions to the overall success of the session.
Entering the meeting room of the National Assembly, where the opening ceremony of the High-level Session took place, there were hurried footsteps, but it seemed that everyone looked at the colorful, symbolic paintings along the corridor, images of doves, boats, arms outstretched in the vastness of the sky and earth, bright eyes as the hearts reaching out of hands... exuding the idea of peace, freedom and justice.
Those images are accompanied by slogans such as “ All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood ” (Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights); “Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law” (Article 16 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) and “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile” (Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)…
All of this is like a whisper that although there are still many injustices, conflicts, and poverty out there, let us commit from our hearts to "contributing to peace, global development, and all human rights for all people", a viewpoint emphasized by Minister Bui Thanh Son and many delegates at the opening ceremony of the Session.
Delegates from all over the world filled the arc-shaped rows of seats, facing the podium and the President's table, and they discussed together in the framework of the longest session of the Human Rights Council ever with a dense and ambitious agenda. The heat of the meeting room showed the fact that human rights issues are always a major concern, spreading globally. Especially as the world becomes more volatile, concerns about human rights become more painful and urgent.
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| United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the High-Level Session of the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on February 26. (Source: X) |
The "harsh" picture
UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis’s up-and-down speech at the High-Level Session painted a stark picture of the human rights situation in many parts of the world with vivid, emotional phrases: The suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza has reached “unbearable heights”; more than 90% of the population of the affected area has been displaced and is now “on the brink of famine and trapped in the abyss of a public health disaster”; “the most vulnerable suffer the most”; “We must not fail the victims – the victims of human rights violations… We must never fail”… Instead of applause between each speaker’s pause, the hall was “silent” with slight frowns or soft sighs.
In that context, the spirit of “action” and “doing your best” for human rights was emphasized by the President of the UN General Assembly, along with promoting dialogue, seeking comprehensive common solutions, responding to the concerns of developing countries and small islands on the issue of climate change; promoting gender equality, protecting the rights of vulnerable groups; providing humanitarian assistance to people in conflict; addressing the root causes of discrimination, racism and the consequences of colonialism...
Focusing on analyzing the “miracles” that can resolve human rights challenges in his speech, UN Secretary-General António Guterres carefully analyzed the significance of the Future Summit (September 2024); the Global Digital Compact, accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; reforming outdated international organizations, including the UN Security Council.
| On February 26, the High-level Session of the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council opened in Geneva (Switzerland). Attending the Session were one President, nine Vice Presidents/Deputy Prime Ministers and 83 Ministers of UN member countries, along with the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son led the Vietnamese delegation to the Session. |
“Success stories”
The phrase “success stories” in Minister Bui Thanh Son’s speech attracted many glances from delegates. “In this generally gloomy picture, we can still see some bright spots with many success stories,” the Minister said.
The success stories cited by the head of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs are that Southeast Asia remains a region of peace and dynamic development. Despite global obstacles, Vietnam's economic growth in 2023 will still reach over 5%. The poverty rate will continue to fall to 3%. Social security spending will continue to be a high priority and has been maintained at nearly 3% of GDP for many years. In 2023, Vietnam will continue to export over 8 million tons of rice, contributing to ensuring food security and access to food for millions of people in regions around the world.
From that, Minister Bui Thanh Son was impressed and wanted to spread to international friends the message from Vietnam's story: What we have learned over the years is that human rights can be best guaranteed when there is peace, stability and respect for international law, in which the State puts the people at the center of all its policies to ensure comprehensive and sustainable development. According to him, that argument is true "at the global level".
At the same time, Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized the role of the UNSC in promoting the implementation of Resolution 52/19 proposed by Vietnam, especially calling on countries to promote mutual respect and understanding, tolerance, inclusiveness, unity and respect for differences, dialogue and cooperation.
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| The Vietnamese delegation led by Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the High-level Session of the 55th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council. (Photo: Nhat Phong) |
Vietnam is committed and ready
“Fire tests gold, hardship tests strength”, Vietnam has never surrendered to difficulties or refused missions for peace, development, and the common interests of humanity. No matter how difficult the reality is, Vietnam is always committed and ready to contribute to the common efforts of the UNSC.
“With a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights and enhancing the activities of the Human Rights Council, Vietnam has decided to run for membership of the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term,” Minister Bui Thanh Son announced to hundreds of delegates, calling on countries to support Vietnam’s efforts.
Clearly, even when international law is challenged and multilateralism is sometimes questioned, Vietnam still firmly upholds international law and promotes multilateralism. With the UNSC, Vietnam is consistent with its priorities when participating in the UNSC, including protecting vulnerable groups, gender equality, digital transformation and human rights.
Along with that, there is a positive, proactive, pioneering spirit, "setting an example" when participating in the Human Rights Council. Up to now, at the 56th Session in June 2024, Vietnam proposed an annual Resolution on ensuring human rights in the context of climate change. Vietnam has submitted a National Report under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, cycle IV, in which it has implemented nearly 90% of the recommendations received in 2019.
In 2023, the first year of participating in the Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, Vietnam has been very proactive and active in promoting its role as a member of the Human Rights Council, including the initiative of the Resolution on the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th Anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by consensus by the Human Rights Council, with 121 co-sponsors; two initiatives to promote the human right to vaccination, including the Joint Statement and the International Discussion on "Promoting the human right to vaccination"...
Thus, from the messages that Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent at this session of the UNSC, it can be affirmed that with the country's new position and strength, with faith in the light of international justice and the power of humanity, regardless of the current context, Vietnam will continue to play the role of an active and responsible member of the international community and the UNSC, proactively contributing to the building and shaping of common rules of the game.
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