At the opening of the 50th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on June 13, 2022 (photo: AFP/VNA)

Vietnam was a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council in the 2014-2016 term. Since then, the country has made great efforts to protect human rights and improve people’s lives.

Trusted by the international community

In February, Vietnam announced its candidacy for membership on the Human Rights Council as the ASEAN representative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as the ASEAN Chair for 2020, Vietnam organized an online conference of ASEAN ministers to discuss ways to bolster cooperation.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on behalf of developing countries, addressed a UN meeting and asked countries to share intellectual property rights to help developing countries cope with COVID-19 and have equitable access to vaccines. Vietnam’s achievements in realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals have been internationally acknowledged, says Professor Carl Thayer of the University of New South Wales, Australia. Vietnam ranks 51st among 165 countries, he said.

“Vietnam is a developing country and has considerable experience in meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals, and therefore provides practical policy advice on issues affecting comprehensive human rights when it’s elected to the UN Human Rights Council,” said Mr. Thayer.

Vietnam’s participation in the UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan and the Central African Republic has been highly praised at the UN.

 The trust of the international community is reflected in the fact that Vietnam has been selected as a representative to many multilateral mechanisms, such as the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 tenure and twice as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, most recently in the 2020-2021 term. As non-permanent member, Vietnam promoted multilateralism and respect for international law, cooperation between the UNSC and regional organizations, post-conflict reconstruction and peace building. UN members have recognized Vietnam's role in promoting national independence, sovereignty, and self-determination.

Vietnam’s commitments

Within the framework of the High-Level Session of the 49th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland last March, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, head of the Vietnamese delegation, said Vietnam always strives to bring to its people the same values the UN pledges to bring to humanity. Centering on the people and considering the people the driving force of development is Vietnam's persistent policy.

Vietnam has paid due attention to ensuring human rights in all aspects, with priority given to protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, and ensuring gender equality and human rights in solving global problems such as climate change.

Minister Bui Thanh Son also affirmed Vietnam’s desire to be a member of Human Rights Council in the 2023-2025 tenure with a campaign slogan of: "Mutual respect-Dialogue and cooperation-Guarantee of human rights for all”.

“We stand ready to work closely with other UN member states and stakeholders to uphold the principle of the UN Charter and the international law and strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the human rights council through dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect. We will promote the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedom in a comprehensive and holistic manner in all civil, political, economic, social, cultural, and developmental aspects,’ said Minister Son.

He added: “Our efforts will focus particularly on the protection of vulnerable groups and combating violence and discrimination against them, the promotion of gender equality, especially for women and girls in the era of digital transformation and on the protection and promotion of human rights in addressing global issues especially climate change.”