Paris (VNA) – Former Secretary General of theFrance-Vietnam Friendship Association Jean-Pierre Archambault has stated thatachievements in ensuring human rights in Vietnam are undeniable.
In an interview recently granted to Vietnam News Agency inParis on the occasion of Vietnam’s run for a seat at the United Nations HumanRights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure, Archambault said ensuring human rightsis one of the achievements in Vietnam’s renovation.
He recalled that in 1975, Vietnam was a war-hit and poorcountry under embargo. But in 2010, it became a middle-income country thanks to considerablestrides during renovation period that began in 1986. Vietnam has so far beenmoving forward and entering a new development period toward a rich, strong,democratic and modern country, he said.
He stressed that in its development policy, the VietnameseGovernment always gives priority to helping the poor, especially AgentOrange/dioxin victims.
Helauded relevant Vietnamese agencies for paying attention to gender equality andensuring rights of vulnerable groups like the elderly, women, children and thedisabled. Vietnam has also actively joined the United Nations’ conventions toprotect them.
Accordingto him, the role of the Vietnamese women has changed, evidenced by the electionof many female deputies to the National Assembly.
Aboutthe Vietnamese Party and State’s efforts to ensure human rights in the motto “Leavingno one behind”, Archambault emphasised thatVietnam’s effective anti-COVID-19 strategy has been welcomed by the WorldHealth Organisation and foreign media. The Vietnamese Party, State andGovernment offered free medical care and vaccination to citizens, as well as gavesupport to disadvantaged firms and people.
As regards Vietnam’s contributions to international communityin human rights, he stressed that the country has done a good job of ensuring theright to peace, national independence and the right to live. Over the pastyears, Vietnam has also actively joined humanitarian activities at the UNPeacekeeping Mission in South Sudan which has been hailed by the UN and internationalcommunity./.