Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (Source: VNA)The FM made the statement in an interview to the press on the occasion ofVietnam’s fresh election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the2023-2025 tenure.
Emphasising the significance of this great event, Son said along with security,peace and development, the promotion and protection of human rights constituteone of the three main pillars underpinning the United Nations (UN). The UNHRCis the most important mechanism on human rights within the UN system. It is aforum for dialogue, cooperation and promotion of human rights across countriesin the world.
“In Vietnam, the Party and State consistently identify the people as thecenter, the actor, the most important resource, and the purpose of thedevelopmental process. This well-founded view has been set out in detail in Vietnam'ssocio-economic development plans and strategies, and is also institutionalizedunder the Constitution and the law. Accordingly, human rights, and citizens'political, civil, economic, cultural and social rights are recognized,respected, protected and ensured pursuant to the Constitution and the law.
“As an active and responsible member of the international community, Vietnamalways seriously and fully implements its international commitments on humanrights, and makes all efforts to advance human rights domestically andinternationally. Vietnam successfully fulfilled its UNHRC membership for 2014-2016,and actively promoted dialogue and cooperation in this process. Such effortsleft positive impressions and are highly regarded by the internationalcommunity,” he said.
Therefore, the FM stressed Vietnam's election to the UNHRC for 2023-2025 is ofgreat importance in various ways.
First, it helps reaffirm Vietnam’ssound and consistent position and policy on the special importance attached tothe human factor and on how best Vietnam can harness the human element innational development. This view holds that economic growth must be closelylinked with cultural and human development, and social progress and justicemust be upheld. It is also a testament to Vietnam's immense achievements so farin upholding the people's right to mastery, and our respect for, and protectionand championing of human and civic rights according to the Constitution and thelaw.
The Vietnamese delegation at the meeting casting votes and announcing voting results on the membership of the UN Human Rights Council for 2023 - 2025 (Source: VNA)This event is all the more significant as this year marks the 45th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the UN. This will be a great opportunityfor Vietnam to continue contributing to the common efforts of the UN and theinternational community in protecting and advancing the universal values ofhuman rights, striving together for peace, national independence, democracy,and development cooperation and social progress.
Third, Vietnam's activeparticipation in and contributions to the UNHRC will broadcast a strong messageof a peace-loving Vietnam that champions humanistic and humanitarian values. Itwill also be instrumental in helping Vietnam's Ministries and agencies at alllevels, its people and international friends, gain a more complete, accurateand deeper understanding of Vietnam's position, policy and achievements in thearea of human rights. In addition, itenables Vietnam to call on the support, advice, and experience sharing from theUN and other international partners in order to better uphold human rights,civic rights, and the people's right to mastery in the new period of nationaldevelopment.
In summary, the fact that Vietnam was elected for the second time to the UNHRCis the culmination of the efforts of the entire Party, people, ministries andagencies at all levels, and the entire political system, in implementing thesound policy line and position of the Party and State for national developmentand international integration. This success is attributed to the Ministry ofForeign Affairs, the external relations organs, other competent ministries andagencies. Their thorough preparations, and effective advocacy at differentlevels and through various channels, especially the high-level diplomaticchannel and via the Vietnamese missions to the UN, have made this successpossible.
Regarding the directions and priorities of Vietnam in its upcoming term on theUNHRC, FM Son said that Vietnam today enjoys a new national posture andstrength after thirty five years of Doi Moi with sound policies and position,and experience accumulated since its previous terms as a member of the UNSC andthe UNHRC. This lays a very important foundation for Vietnam's confidence inperforming its mandate at the UNHRC for 2023-2025.
“As a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member, Vietnam willcontinue to work closely with fellow member states and make substantial contributionsto the common work of the UNHRC. These include advancing dialogue and internationalcooperation in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, and promoting humanrights taking into account the particular conditions and legitimate needs andinterests of countries, especially developing countries.
“We will join hands with other member states to advance initiatives andsolutions for the right to live in peace, right to development, rights ofvulnerable groups, gender equality, right to access to healthcare, educationand employment, and response to climate change and epidemics, among many others.In its 2023-2025 term, Vietnam will perform its reporting obligation under the4th Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and other internationalconventions on promoting civil and political rights, fighting discrimination,and championing the rights of women and persons with disabilities,” he said.
With the consensus and close coordination within the entire political systemunder the leadership of the Party and the administration of the State, alongsidethe support of the international community, Vietnam will certainly fulfill itsmandate at the UNHRC, the diplomat affirmed./.
VNA
