Vietnam continues to improve its human rights record (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is consistent in its policy of ensuring a strong, democratic, fair, and civilized country. The Vietnamese Party and State have worked hard to enable its citizens to enjoy all human rights and strengthened international cooperation in human rights on the basis of fairness, respect, and understanding among countries.

Full legal foundation  

The 2013 Constitution is the latest evidence of Vietnam’s consistent pursuance of human rights, which were stipulated in previous Constitutions in 1946, 1959, and 1992. The new Constitution includes more thorough interpretations of the Vietnamese Party and State viewpoints on human rights and citizens’ rights and obligations to match the current situation.

Vietnam has joined almost every UN treaty on human rights: The International Covenant in Civil and Political Rights and Politics; the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights; the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, among others. Vietnam is also a member of the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons.

Vietnam has made active and effective contributions to establishing and operating the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and crafting the 2012 ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. Vietnam holds an annual human rights dialogue with the US, Australia, and Switzerland.

Undeniable human rights achievements

The Vietnamese State has promoted its principle “People know, people discuss, people work, and people check”, enabling people’s participation in State affairs. The right to take part in governing the State and society is one of the most important rights of Vietnamese citizens.

Freedom of expression in Vietnam is seen in the rapid growth and diversity of mass media. The increasing number of organizations, associations, and clubs indicates that the citizens’ right to assembly is protected. The number of religious dignitaries, followers, and activities is on the rise to meet the people’s spiritual needs. Religions are entitled to enjoy favorable conditions to open training institutions, publish bibles, and take part in social activities. Vietnam gives priority to ethnicity and ensures ethnic fairness, considering it a decisive factor in national development.

Economic growth has created a premise for Vietnam to settle urgent social issues, achieve its goal of social fairness, and better protect human rights. Vietnam has completed numerous Millennium Development Goals, including reducing extreme poverty, universalizing primary education, promoting gender equality, reducing maternal and child mortality rates, controlling TB, and containing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Given different viewpoints on human rights in the world, Vietnam’s achievements are undeniable evidence of its effort in human rights protection.