Present at the session to pass the report were representatives from all 192 UNHRC member states, international and non-governmental organisations. The Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, included representatives from concerned State agencies and non-governmental organisations in Vietnam.

Deputy FM Minh thanked and acknowledged international and non-governmental organisations for their constructive opinions on Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights in the country.

Minh reaffirmed that exercising human rights in Vietnam is demonstrated by its primary goal of building a powerful country with rich people living in an equal, democratic and civilised society.

Over the past few years, Vietnam has constantly upgraded its comprehensive legal system and renewed legal supervision to ensure and promote human rights in all fields, from civil procedures, politics to economics, social affairs and culture according to the principles of a legally-governed State.

During the process of promoting and protecting human rights, every country has different issues related to politics, history, society, culture, religion and ethnicities. Therefore, each state or nation must assume the highest responsibility for the sake of national interest and take the necessary measures to maintain socio-political stability and duly punish anyone who threatens the country’s fundamental interests, Minh said.

The press plays an important role in Vietnam’s socio-economic development and the State will always create the best possible conditions for the media to develop by providing a complete legal framework, adopting incentive policies and ensuring freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

The Vietnamese State is currently revising the Press Law, putting into effect more new regulations in line with the country’s culture, history and social environment and in conformity with international laws, Minh noted.

The PM confirmed Vietnam’s policy on religious freedom, saying that Vietnam promotes unity amongst its different religions and ethnic groups and creates the best conditions for them to develop equally. That’s why religious activities and beliefs have been developing strongly and healthily, especially over the last 35 years, he added.

In their reports, the overseas representatives praised Vietnam’s achievements in protecting human rights. They appreciated Vietnam’s willingness to cooperate and share its experiences with other countries in ensuring human rights.

Cuba, Venezuela and Russia consider Vietnam’s measures to exercise human rights a good example for other countries to follow. Brunei has recognised the active role Vietnam plays in drawing up human rights mechanisms in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and contributing to the protection of human rights in the region. Thailand noted that Vietnam provided valuable experience for other countries to protect people’s rights properly. Algeria also considers Vietnam’s achievements and its approach to the Universal Periodic Review as a practical contribution to the UNHRC’s activities.

Various delegates from non-governmental organisations praised Vietnam’s achievements in a number of fields, especially in poverty reduction and socio-economic development. The World Peace Council said that despite the negative consequences of the American war, Vietnam has made a constant effort to ensure the basic rights of freedom, including religious freedom and expand democracy, particularly in live broadcasts of the National Assembly’s question time. The International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) and the Europe-Third World Centre (CETIM) applauded the significant achievements made in protecting human rights in all fields and called on the UNHRC to pay due attention to Agent Orange victims – an issue that no-one has taken responsibility for.

The North-South XXI organisation highlighted Vietnam as a typical example for other countries to follow and called on UN member countries to provide more assistance to Vietnam in a cooperative spirit. However, there were also other opinions, such as a speech by Vo Van Ai, who represented the so-called International Federation on Human Rights. Ai gave fake information about the human rights situation in Vietnam and he was out of step with the views of most other representatives.