Vietnam has affirmed its consistent policy on protecting and promoting human rights at the ongoing 26th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) held in Geneva, Switzerland.

During discussions on civilian, political, economic, cultural, social and development rights, Vietnam’s delegates also reported on progress the country has made in building legal institutions and implementing policies and strategies relating to citizens’ rights, particularly those of vulnerable groups such as women, children and victims of human trafficking.

They reiterated the country’s resolve to fully carry out its voluntary commitments as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, and made several proposals on solutions to promote and safeguard human rights, particularly the rights under discussion at this session of the HRC.

At the dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to health and the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises on June 11, Vietnam’s Ambassador Pham Quoc Tru stressed that governments, enterprises, UN organisations and all relevant sides should strengthen cooperation to alleviate the negative impacts of the globalisation process on human rights. He said alongside efforts to facilitate the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and protect the legitimate interests of corporations, appropriate attention should be paid to protecting and exercising labourers’ rights, ensuring harmony in the interests of businesses, labourers and other concerned parties.

At the June 12 dialogue with the Special Rapporteurs on violence against women and on extreme poverty, Ambassador Tru called on countries, relevant UN mechanisms and international organisations to discuss and define the priorities for the time ahead, as well as the specific measures to be taken to effectively end violence against women and eradicate hunger and poverty. He also asked developed countries and international organisations to increase collaboration and assistance for developing countries in this cause.

During the June 13 dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, Vietnam’s representative acknowledged the efforts made by the Special Rapporteur, UN agencies and international community in building and promoting a human right-based approach to deal with human trafficking. At the same time, Vietnam expressed hope that countries pay more attention to community-based measures to fight human trafficking, including making use of information provided by former victims.

The council’s session will continue with discussions on issues relating to women, children, people with disabilities and education during the week from June 16. The council will also examine the human rights situation in a number of countries, including Belarus, Syria, Eritrea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

VNA/VNN