Vietnam has completed the 1st year of its 2-year-term as a member of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Vietnam has showed a high sense of responsibility in the Council’s activities, contributing sizably to ensuring human rights for vulnerable groups, and addressing problems developing countries are facing such as food, healthcare, and clean water.  

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh for the first time attended a high-level meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in March, 2014. During the year, Vietnam participated in hundreds of meetings and consultations of the Council and voted on 200 resolutions and decisions concerning human rights.

Effective implementation of multilateral and bilateral mechanisms on human rights

Vietnam began its membership at the UN Human Rights Council when it was preparing for the 2nd Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Vietnam has been serious in implementing international commitments and recommendations on human rights to guarantee that its citizens enjoy the best of their human rights.

Vietnam has actively been involved in multilateral forums on human rights such as the UN General Assembly, the UN Commission for Social Development and Commission for the Status of Women, and the International Labor Organization (ILO). Vietnam has been an active member of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the Asia-Europe Meeting.

Vietnam has engaged in multilateral and bilateral dialogues on human rights with the US, Australia, and Switzerland. Despite differences, the dialogues took place in an open, frank, and constructive manner to enhance mutual understanding and reinforce trust between Vietnam and other countries.

Guaranteeing human rights in all aspects

While carrying out the tasks of a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Vietnam has obtained practical results in fine tuning and enforcing laws and policies on human rights. The 2013 Constitution adopted a chapter on human rights and the 13th National Assembly ratified the UN Convention against Torture and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Vietnam successfully defended a national report on the implementation of the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in November, 2014.

Regardless of socio-economic difficulties, Vietnam has achieved significant results in poverty reduction, job generation, social security, and improving people’s cultural and spiritual life. Diverse cultural and religious activities were held nationwide such as the UN Vesak Day, Christmas, and traditional festivals. The robust development of the internet has created opportunities for people to have their voice heard in the legislative work.

Vietnam’s human rights achievements have been acknowledged internationally. These results have raised Vietnam’s status in the international area as a successful model in fulfilling the UN Millennium Goals on human rights, healthcare, education, gender equality, labor, ethnic affairs, and poverty reduction.