The 18th session of the Human Rights Council UPR working group on February 7 approved the Vietnam National Report 48 hours after it was presented and examined in Geneva.

Foreign delegates appreciated Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, especially in poverty reduction, sustainable economic development, social security, employment, education and health care, fundamental freedoms of citizens and rights of vulnerable groups.

They recommended Vietnam make a greater effort to accelerate legal reforms, promote people’s rights to freedom of religion and belief, as well as the press, and invite the Special Procedures of the Human Right Council to finalise the report.

Foreign delegates congratulated Vietnam after its report was adopted at the debate (Photo:VNA)

Some delegates asked Vietnam to enhance the sharing of its Renewal experience, guarantee vulnerable groups’ rights, ensure social security, and generate employment in the context of economic difficulty. They proposed Vietnam increase cooperation with human rights organisations of the United Nations.   

The 18th session of the Human Rights Council UPR working group took place in Geneva from January 27 to February 2. Fourteen UN member states, including Vietnam, presented their national reports and held dialogues on human rights with representatives from 107 countries.

The Vietnam national report will be considered at a plenary session of the Human Rights Council in June 2014.

Vietnam was elected to the Human Rights Council for the 2014-16 tenure in 2013.

Source: VOV