Terrorist case in Dak Lak handled in accordance with Vietnamese law

Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the statement at a regular press briefing held on January 25 in reply to a reporter's question regarding the co-ordination between Vietnam and the United States to investigate the terrorist case in  the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak, particularly relating to information that there was ethnic discrimination in this case.

During the investigation process, competent Vietnamese and US agencies have been regularly exchanging information about relevant organizations and individuals in line with the laws of the two countries, as well as international law.

In discussions with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, the US side affirmed that it does not tolerate any organizations or individuals involved in the case and are therefore committed to supporting Vietnamese law enforcement forces during the investigation process, with a clear view of clarifying the incident in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring which may affect the relationship between the two nations.

Hang emphasized, "We always believe that all peace-loving countries and people in the world resolutely oppose terrorist acts in all forms and co-ordinate to strictly handle acts of terrorism in accordance with international law."

Regarding information that there is ethnic discrimination in the case, Hang affirmed, "We completely refute that there is ethnic discrimination. All ethnic groups living in the territory of Vietnam are all equality. The Vietnamese government always gives priority to ethnic minority areas, especially in boosting socio-economic development and improving people's lives."

Also at the press conference, when answering a reporter's question about Human Rights Watch recently issuing a press release that mentioned the human rights situation in Vietnam in 2023, the spokesperson clearly stated, “We totally reject and condemn the so-called Human Rights Watch for the fabricated and false content in the report just mentioned.

This is not the first time this organization has made slanderous and prejudiced allegations with bad intentions aimed at Vietnam, plotting to sabotage Vietnam's socio-economic development and divide Vietnam from international community.”

The determination, efforts, and achievements of the Vietnamese Government in ensuring fundamental human rights have been clearly demonstrated through actual socio-economic development results and are both recognised and highly appreciated by a large number of people at home, as well as the international community,  Hang added.