(VOVworld) - Vietnam has been elected a member of the UN Human Rights Council and will begin its three-year term on January 1st, 2014. Vietnam’s election to the Council with the highest number of votes shows the international community’s trust in Vietnam’s achievements in human rights. It’s also an opportunity for Vietnam to contribute to ensuring human rights globally.
President of the UN General Assembly announced the election result.
Becoming one of the 14 new members of the UNHCR is a source of pride for Vietnam. The election result shows other countries’ expectations of Vietnam based on its progress in guaranteeing human rights.
Acknowledged human rights results
A developing country with various difficulties, the political system, functional agencies, and people of Vietnam have exerted efforts to develop the economy while ensuring social equality and human rights.
In terms of policy, the 1946 Constitution and the revised 1992 Constitution, which is expected to be adopted by the National Assembly in the next few days, comprehensively define human rights in economic, cultural, social, political, and civil aspects. Fundamental human rights have been specified in legal documents to match the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Convention on Human Rights. Mechanisms to protect and promote human rights in Vietnam have been built on the principles of a state governed by law of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Over the past 5 years, Vietnam’s economic growth rate and gross domestic product have been maintained at 6%, a rather high level for this region. Vietnam has generated 8 million new jobs, reduced the rate of poor households to 9.5%, improved social security and people’s access to healthcare service, and raised the human development index. Vietnam has fulfilled ahead of schedule many Millennium Development Goals to become a UN role model in poverty reduction.
Vietnam is a positive model in ensuring freedom of speech, a fact proved by the rapid increase in the number of Internet users in recent years. Religious life in Vietnam has flourished with the development of all major world religions and local beliefs and increasing numbers of religious organizations, followers, places of worship, and publications.
Uninterrupted progress
Vietnam has been an observer of the UN Human Rights Council since its establishment in 2006. Vietnam is actively involved in the Council’s activities and praised the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) as an effective mechanism to share information and enhance mutual understanding to better promote and ensure human rights.
In 2009 Vietnam presented its first UPR which received high praise from other countries and the UNHRC. Vietnam has increased dialogues and cooperation, replied specifically and promptly to UN notes of protest on human rights, and complied with UN special procedures on human rights.
Vietnam’s election to the UN Human Rights Council reflects international acknowledgement and is clear evidence of Vietnam’s achievements in human rights. It has nullified criticism by hostile forces of Vietnam’s human rights record.
Vietnam pledges to contribute to global human rights
Vietnam will represent Asia in the UNHCR to initiate ideas for human rights resolutions in the next 3 years.
Vietnam will enhance policies and resources to better ensure human rights in economic, social, cultural, civil, and political aspects in line with international standards. Vietnam will continue to improve its legal and judicial systems, build a state governed by law, and strengthen its national constitution to protect human rights, including the possibility to establish a National Human Rights agency.