Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and the European Union(EU) have held their annual human rights dialogue in Brussels, exchangingviewpoints and sharing experience and good practices in promoting andprotecting human rights.
The Vietnamese delegation, led by Vu Anh Quang –Director General of the Foreign Ministry’s International OrganisationsDepartment, include representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs,public security, justice, information and communications, and home affairs, andthe Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and the EU.
Meanwhile, the EU side was headed by David Daly,head of the South East Asia division in the European External Action Services.
In an open, straightforward and friendly manner,the dialogue on December 8 looked into relevant issues of shared concern with aview to enhancing mutual understanding, thereby fostering the Vietnam-EUcomprehensive partnership and cooperation.
The two sides shared information about theirviewpoints, policies, efforts, achievements, as well as challenges in ensuringhuman rights.
They discussed legal and judicial reforms relatedto human rights issues; the rights to freedom of speech, belief, religion,association, and peaceful assembly; and the stance on some human rights issuesat international organisations, especially the United Nations, and some othermatters of mutual interest.
The EU side recognised Vietnam’s efforts andattainments, particularly in building a law-governed State and overhauling the legalsystem on human rights. It said it wants to bolster cooperation with Vietnam injudicial reform, in implementing the Convention against Torture, preventing andcombating human trafficking, and ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups inthe society.
On the fringe of the dialogue, the Vietnameseofficials had working sessions with Belgium’s Interdepartmental CoordinationPlatform for the Fight against Trafficking and Smuggling in human beings, andthe Belgian Federal Police’s organised crime unit.
They also visited a support centre for humantrafficking victims and met representatives of some non-governmental organisationsto discuss human rights matters of common concern.-VNA
VNA
