Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh made the statement while presenting the nation’s report under the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council at a session in Geneva on May 8.
Minh said Viet Nam placed importance on preparing the Universal Periodic Review report to realise its membership obligations, accumulate experience, fully ensure human rights and increase international co-operation.
Fully ensuring human rights was the heartfelt aspiration of the Vietnamese people as they were previously deprived of basic freedom rights under colonialism and made numerous sacrifices during the past struggles for national independence, he said.
The deputy minister highlighted Viet Nam’s achievements in building a comprehensive legal system to ensure and promote human rights, noting that the people have joined political, social and professional organisations as well as State agencies in the inspection, supervision and enforcement of laws.
He went on to say that the National Assembly was the supreme body of State authority representing the will and desire of the people, while judicial bodies, such as courts, were entrusted with protecting justice and human rights, and fighting crime.
Having underlined the rapid and diverse development of the mass media, ebullient religious life and the implementation of the rights of women, children and the disabled, Minh said Viet Nam recorded progress in all fields, especially during the past 20 years of renewal, thanks to its efforts to ensure human rights.
The diplomat noted Viet Nam’s GDP had grown steadily, exceeding 7 per cent per year over the past decade. Per capita income had increased by five times from under 200 USD in 1990 to 1,024 USD in 2008, while the poverty rate, according to the national poverty line, had been cut from over 60 per cent in 1990 to 13.8 per cent in 2008.
Minh admitted that Viet Nam still faced challenges, saying the country’s legal system, in particular the field of human rights, still contained inconsistencies, overlapping and contra-ditiction in several areas, which could lead to misinterpretation in application and enforcement at grass-roots level.
Following the deputy minister’s report, representatives of 60 countries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Asia, Europe, Africa and America participated in direct dialogues with Viet Nam.
Many representatives said they appreciated Viet Nam’s renewal achievements and its strong commitments to foster human rights.
As the first nation to take the floor, Algeria applauded Viet Nam’s priority in generating employment. Other African countries, including Benin, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Mauritius, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Ivory Coast voiced sympathy over the difficulties facing Viet Nam due to the aftermaths of wars, and praised its results in maintaining high economic growth, fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals, ensuring food security and providing healthcare services for the people, particularly those in rural areas.
Representatives from Latin America, including Cuba, Mexico, Chile, Brazil and Venezuela spoke highly of Viet Nam’s endeavours in accelerating judicial reform and gender equality, and called upon the international community to support the country’s development process.
The ASEAN member countries said they welcomed Viet Nam’s participation in many international treaties and co-operation regarding human rights, as well as its co-ordination in establishing the ASEAN human rights mechanism.
China hailed Viet Nam’s harmonious socio-economic development policy, while Japan emphasised the country’s achievements in accomplishing the Millennium Development Goals.
The Russian delegation praised the efforts Viet Nam had made to improve its people’s living conditions and develop human rights via information technology.
Norway acknowledged Viet Nam’s progress in socio-economic development, while both Switzerland and Australia acclaimed Viet Nam’s willingness to learn international experiences in implementing human rights.
The UK said it welcomed Viet Nam’s advances in improving economic, social and religious rights and Finland spoke highly of the Southeast Asian country’s success in national modernisation and poverty reduction.
At the session, representatives from several countries provided incorrect information, failing to reflect the reality of democracy and human rights in Viet Nam.
The Vietnamese delegation, including officials from relevant ministries and agencies, reiterated the country’s clear and consistent policy, and at the same time provided information and exchanged frank opinions with these nations.
Representatives from 192 member states of the council, many UN agencies and international organisations attended the session, which lasts from May 4-15.
