The signing ceremony of the EU--Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in Hanoi.

Vietnam presided over and hosted many important events on gender equality, promoting child development in the Asia-Pacific region

On the occasion of the World Human Rights Day (December 10th), Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung talked with the media about the contributions of foreign affairs on human rights in enhancing Vietnam's position in the international arena.

Achievements in the field of human rights are an important premise for Vietnam in foreign affairs, not only to promote dialogue and cooperation, enhance understanding to promote bilateral relations with important partners, but also promote Vietnam's position and role in a number of human rights issues in international and regional multilateral forums.

The most outstanding event in 2019 was Vietnam’s completion of the UPR review, third cycle, with very positive results. We have received positive comments from countries and international organizations for efforts to ensure human rights, as well as our seriousness in implementing human rights commitments, including the commitments under the UPR mechanism.

Some comments particularly welcomed Vietnam's plan to develop a comprehensive plan to implement UPR recommendations and conduct a mid-term review, considering it a good example of promoting UPR recommendations. Many others appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in integrating the implementation of UPR recommendations with national development programs and plans, thereby ensuring that the UPR process brings about real effects. The constructive opinions and recommendations of other countries are a strong affirmation of the right direction of Vietnam in this work.

In addition to having dialogue with all UN members under the UPR framework, Vietnam also conducted rounds of dialogues or bilateral consultations with a number of partners that concerned about human rights. This activity has helped Vietnam and other countries to better understand the concerns, including differences, share priorities, experience and explore opportunities for cooperation on the protection and promotion of human rights.

Vietnam and the EU signed the free trade agreement (EVFTA) on June 30.

That success has contributed to promoting Vietnam's bilateral relations with important partners.

In addition, at the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, and ASEM forums, Vietnam not only affirmed its policies and achievements on human rights protection and promotion, but also contributed substantially to the joint efforts to promote human rights values, as the international community promotes the development and implementation of important global agendas such as sustainable development and climate change response, gender equality, migration ...

Vietnam also continues to show its active role and contributes substantially to the common struggle of the majority of countries in the world to protect the basic principles of human rights access, that’s the principle of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs, not politicization of human rights issues.

From its own experience, Vietnam strongly asserts that dialogue and cooperation are an effective way to consider human rights issues.

In 2019, at the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam, Bangladesh and the Philippines introduced the Resolution on climate change and the rights of people with disabilities with 49 co-sponsors. Vietnam was also the representative of ASEAN's voice in the events of the UN Human Rights Council on climate change and women's rights. This is also a related initiative of Vietnam. With these activities, Vietnam is considered a core member of the UN Human Rights Council in promoting the content of climate change and human rights.

Foreign affairs on human rights contributes to empowering Vietnam's position in the international arena. Illustrative photo

At the regional level, Vietnam is also an active member. Vietnam chaired many ASEAN-led human rights activities, including the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and the ASEAN Commission on Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. The country also chaired and hosted many important events on gender equality and information technology, promoting child development in the Asia-Pacific region.

During the tenure of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2008-2009, Vietnam chaired the introduction and promotion the approval of the UN Security Council's Resolution 1889 on the role of women in the post-conflict period.

Based on these results, during the term of the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2020 - 2021, Vietnam is expected to preside over a number of important events related to this content, especially on the role of women in negotiating, building peace and rebuilding after the war.

Tran Hang