Vietnam ensures the rights of ethnic minorities

The rights of ethnic minorities are one of the basic human rights, recognized by international legal documents and classified in the group of civil-political rights, and are very basic rights that ethnic minority groups in all countries are eligible to enjoy.

The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination is one of the nine fundamental international conventions of the United Nations on human rights. In Vietnam, the basic rights of ethnic minorities are respected and systematically enforced. 

Actual manifestation

The Vietnamese Party and State have implemented several breakthrough policies to promote the development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas. In addition to a series of laws and legal documents to ensure human rights and civil rights, including the rights of ethnic minorities, the State allocated 41.5 billion USD to support socio-economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas from 2016 to 2020.

For the first time, Vietnam has a National Target Program specifically for ethnic minority and mountainous areas. Under the program, more than 4.8 billion USD is allocated to 10 projects on ethnic affairs from 2021 to 2025.

Cao Thi Ny, a poor household in Suoi Ca village in Khanh Hoa province, said: "The state supported me with housing and vocational training. I have opened a restaurant. My income is now more stable. If you have a house and a job, you will escape poverty."

Mr. Son Cuong's family in Thanh Quoi commune, My Xuyen district, Soc Trang province, received support from the national target program for economic development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas.

"Thanks to the government's support in job replacement, I bought a lawnmower to cut grass for my cow. My job has become easier. I will try to breed more cows in the near future," said Cuong.

The right to participate in state management and social management activities of ethnic minorities has constantly improved. Ethnic minorities have 89 representatives out of 499 delegates in the 15th National Assembly, the highest percentage in 4 tenures. All  ethnic minorities and poor people have free health insurance.

Ethnic minority women have been empowered and receive health care, especially during pregnancy and childbirth. In Gia Lai, in the past, ethnic women had to give birth at home, and were not allowed to enter a house without worshiping the Genie. Now, more than 93% of women giving birth have trained midwives. People's lives have improved remarkably.

Development of ethnic minority areas is prioritized

Deputy Minister and Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Y Thong said it’s important to realize the Party and State's guidelines and policies on prioritizing the development of ethnic minority areas in a more practical and effective way and reach the most remote villages and ensure that ethnic minorities are not only beneficiaries but also the masters in implementing these policies.

"In the coming time, it’s important to effectively implement the national target program for ethnic minority and mountainous areas, especially the 10 component projects and sub-projects. The Committee for Ethnic Affairs will continue to coordinate with the authorities to revise the Land Law to ensure residential and production land for the people and to create conditions for the best and most stable livelihoods for the people," said Thong. 

Vietnam is a unified country of 54 ethnic groups, including 53 ethnic minorities with more than 14 million people, accounting for 14.7% of the nation’s population. Over the past 40 years of implementing the renewal policy, Vietnam has continued to ensure the best implementation of all rights of the people, including ethnic minorities.