Head of the permanent representative delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and other international organizations in Geneva, on June 23, said that Vietnam always has a consistent policy to advocates for the promotion and protection of human rights, and calls on countries not to politicize human rights issues to interfere in their internal affairs or to criticize other countries.
This statement was made by Vietnamese Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai at a dialogue session with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the occasion of the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council taking place in Geneva, Switzerland.
Ms. Mai, in addition to affirming Vietnam’s policy of protecting and promoting human rights, also affirmed the Vietnamese government’s support for the work of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN human rights mechanisms to engage in substantive, constructive dialogue on human rights issues.
In addition, the representative of Vietnam also said that Vietnam is making the highest efforts to ensure the enjoyment of basic rights of people in the prevention of the COVID-19 epidemic, with the highest priority being life. and the health of people, especially vulnerable groups, while maintaining economic growth.
Talking about the Vaccine Fund, Ms. Mai affirmed that the Government’s establishment of the fund and the support of the people is a measure to promote the national vaccination strategy towards an inclusive recovery after the pandemic.
Also within the framework of the 47th Session, Vietnam focused on human rights in climate change.
According to state media, Vietnam is expected to represent Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam on behalf of the Core Group to introduce the draft Resolution 2021 on climate change and human rights.
Over the years, Vietnam has faced many criticisms from some countries such as the US and EU about human rights violations. The US and EU also maintain annual human rights dialogues with Vietnam.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention also regularly makes conclusions about arbitrary arrests in Vietnam and calls on Hanoi to release these people and change its obscure laws commonly used in convicting human rights activists.
According to the recent Human Rights Report of the Vietnam Human Rights Network, Vietnam has detained at least 79 prisoners of conscience in 2020 and the first five months of 2021. Vietnam currently holds 288 prisoners of conscience, the report said.
Thoibao.de (Translated)
