The statement was delivered by Tran Van Thuat, Director of the Ethnic Minority Policy Department of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs, at the United Nations’ 2nd Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva, Switzerland from November 12-13.

Vietnam’s policy on respecting ethnic people’s right to equitable treatment is implemented in reality, from the politic and economic to the cultural and social aspects. It has also been incorporated into Vietnamese law, said Mr Thuat.

He emphasised that in Vietnam, people from ethnic groups have the right to directly join in political activities or to do so indirectly through a representative. He said the number of ethnic people who have a position in the political apparatus is increasing, and so is the number of ethnic deputies to the National Assembly.

After giving an overview of the measures that the Vietnamese government has taken so far to increase political involvement among people from ethnic groups, Mr Thuat called on countries and international organisations to assist Vietnam in building the capacity and raising the awareness of the human rights issue among ethnic officials and people.