(VOVworld) – A consultation workshop on Vietnam’s draft national report under the 2^nd cycle Universal Periodic Review opened in Hanoi on Tuesday. The report will be presented at the UN Human Rights Council in January next year.

Workshop participants discussed finalizing laws and policies on human rights, increasing education on the subject and implementing international duties towards these rights. In its report, Vietnam focused more on respecting, protecting and promoting human rights including political and civil rights and the rights of vulnerable groups. UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta praised efforts by the Vietnamese government in ensuring and improving human rights: “I would like to congratulate the government of Vietnam on increasing its engagement with international human rights mechanisms over the past few years. Another important step that I would like to congratulate the government on is for making the draft national report available 6 months in advance of the state review as well as for making it available on MOFA’s website and inviting comments.”