(VOVworld) – Vietnam was elected by the UN General Assembly at its 68th session one of 14 new members of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term. Vietnam got 184 votes out of 192, the most among the candidates. VOV brings you the gist of an interview with Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh

Protecting and promoting human rights is one of the pillars of the UN’s operation. The UN Human Rights Council is considered a key agency of this global organization.

Consistent policy of protecting and promoting human rights

Vietnam’s decision to stand for election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 tenure derived from its consistent policy of protecting, respecting, and promoting human rights and realized its external policy of pro-active integration into the world.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said Vietnam exerted a great effort to get its name on the list of candidates for Asia-Pacific. "There were many candidates but only 4 seats on the Human Rights Council for each region. We received the highest number of votes. It shows that other countries acknowledge Vietnam’s progress in human rights promotion and protection and our achievements in the renewal process. It also means that other countries appreciate Vietnam’s role and status internationally."

Looking at Vietnam’s achievements in promoting and protecting human rights, it’s not surprising that 184 out of 193 countries supported Vietnam’s bid to become a member of the Council. Vietnam has built a state governed by law, included human rights in its Constitution, and has achieved internationally recognized results in implementing the UN Millennium Development Goals. These are visible evidence that Vietnam is a responsible country in guaranteeing human rights. Vietnam’s contributions to international forums have strengthened other countries’ trust in Vietnam and expectation that Vietnam will sponsor more initiatives on global issues. Minister Minh said: "Vietnam has made remarkable contributions to the UN and the UN’s activities and we were successful as a member of the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 term. Vietnam was proactive in regional forums including the ASEAN summit, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)."

 Protecting and promoting human rights globally

In the next 3-year tenure, Vietnam have the opportunities to make direct, constructive and responsible contributions to protecting and promoting human rights globally and learn how to better ensure the rights of its own citizens. Minister Pham Binh Minh revealed Vietnam’s orientations as a member of the Council. "As a full member, we will actively contribute to the UN’s mechanisms for protecting and promoting human rights. As a developing country, Vietnam will do its part to make the Council operate in an effective, non-politicized, and fair manner. Vietnam will learn lessons from other countries in promoting and protecting human rights to gain better results in this area."

Vietnam will take its official seat on the Council on January 1, 2014. With its experience as a UN member for 36 years and as a former member of the UN Security Council, Vietnam surely will fulfill its role on the UN Human Rights Council to guarantee human rights globally.