(VOVWORLD) - In the recently released National Report on Human Rights Protection and Promotion under the Universal Periodic Review third-cycle, Vietnam affirms its respect for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council and implementation of recommendations which have helped Vietnam gain important achievements in ensuring human rights.
The Universal Periodic Review is an inter-governmental mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council reviewing the exercise of human rights by UN members. The review is conducted every 4 to 5 years. Vietnam supports UPR and has developed its national report and implemented recommendations made in the previous cycles.
New policies in place to ensure human rights
Vietnam’s 3rd cycle UPR national report highlights its achievements in promoting and protecting human rights which has been mainstreamed in the country’s strategies, socio-economic development plans, judicial reform, and implementation of international commitments. According to the report, many new policies including the 2013 Constitution and 90 legal documents concerning human rights have been implemented since the 2nd review. Vietnam is working to build a facilitating government, implementing SDGs, and ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups and workers. The Vietnamese government has implemented several policies on poverty reduction, ensuring food security, improving nutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture and caring for people’s health.
Vietnam has also ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention Against Tortures and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The country has signed 7 out of 9 basic international conventions on human rights.
Vietnam’s per capita income has steadily increased and the income of poor households has risen 15% to 20%. The multi-dimensional poverty rate dropped 25% between 2015 and 2017. 38% of ethnic minority people have achieved better economic conditions. All cities and provinces have completed pre-school and primary education universalization. Nearly 28% of business owners and more than 26% of NA deputies are female.
Vietnam respects UPR mechanisms
As of October 2018, Vietnam had implemented most of the 182 recommendations approved during the second cycle of UPR. Vietnam has developed a master plan which assigns specific tasks to relevant ministries and sectors to implement the recommendations.
Vietnam will present the 3rd cycle UPR national report at the UN Human Rights Council next January.