Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang

Spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang made the remarks on Thursday in response to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s reaction to the US State Department’s reports. She said: “Fundamental human rights have been clearly defined in Vietnam Constitution and law in line with the UN Convention on Human Rights to which Vietnam is a member state and those rights are respected and ensured in practice. Vietnam’s efforts have been highly praised by the international community. On January 25, the UN Human Rights Council working group approved a review report about Vietnam. Vietnam with its international credibility will host the Vesak Day this May.”

The spokeswoman said that the UN Human Rights Committee reviewed Vietnam’s third national report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on Monday and Tuesday. They recognized Vietnam’s encouraging progress in the covenant implementation and believed in Vietnam’s future achievements.

The spokeswoman commented on China’s recent activities on Thi Tu island: “Vietnam has full legal grounds and historical evidence confirming its national sovereignty on Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes in line with international law. Vietnam views that while seeking for peaceful means to the dispute in the East Sea based on international law to facilitate negotiation for the Code of Conducts for Parties in the East Sea, parties should strictly abide by their Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, especially in refraining from behaviors complicating and escalating disputes, including the seizure of non human residential structures in the East Sea. Parties should act responsibly and make practical contribution to regional peace and stability.”