At the beginning of the year, Vietnam campaigned for election to the UN Human Rights Council and conducted a nationwide referendum on revisions to the 1992 Constitution. Both activities received wide consensus.

Highlights

Vietnam becoming a member of the UN Human Rights Council shows the international community’s confidence in Vietnam and acknowledgement of Vietnam’s policies and national reform efforts to build a state that is governed by law, promotes democracy, and ensures citizen’s rights.

The Vietnam National Assembly approved a new 2013 Constitution, a major success for Vietnam in building a legal framework for human rights. The 2013 Constitution has institutionalized Vietnam’s views on human rights, which consider humans to be the source, strength, and target of development. The Constitution defines the basic rights and obligations of citizens in a way that is consistent with international conventions on human rights to which Vietnam is a signatory.

Compliments and hope

International friends have hailed Vietnam as one of the 4 representatives of Asia-Pacific on the UN Human Rights Council. Head of the Pakistani delegation to the UN, Masood Khan said the election was impressive. It showed Vietnam’s prestige and strength as a contributor to human rights promotion and protection in the world. Vietnam has not only focused on economic development but also given high priority to protecting citizens’ civil, cultural, and social rights.

Filippe Savadogo, Ambassador of the Francophone countries to the UN, said: “I was delighted that Vietnam was elected a member of the UN Human Rights Council. The strength of Francophonie will be enhanced. I’ve followed Vietnam’s human rights contributions to Francophonie.”

Abdallah Al-Muallimi, Head of the Saudi Arabian delegation to the UN, told VOV: “Vietnam deserves to be a member of the UN Human Rights Council. We appreciate the achievements of the Vietnamese people and hope that Vietnam’s participation will enhance the Council’s role and activities.”

Many foreign media agencies ran articles about gathering public opinions to finalize the Constitution. They said it’s a meaningful act of a country of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Milestones in the long path

Achievements in 2013 are milestones in Vietnam’s long path to improve human rights. For several years, functional agencies and individuals across the country have exerted continuous effort to promote economic growth in tandem with social advancement, equality, and human rights. 

From the 1946 Constitution to the 2013 Constitution, Vietnam has consistently defended human rights in economics, culture, society, and politics. Over the past 5 years, Vietnam’s economic growth and GDP have been steady at 6%, which is a high rate for this region. During this period, Vietnam generated 8 million jobs, reduced the poverty rate to 9.5%, and improved social security and people’s health, especially children, the poor, and ethnic minority people. Vietnam has completed ahead of schedule many Millennium Development Goals to become a model of poverty reduction and guaranteeing freedom of speech and religion.

Vietnam will begin its 2-year term on the UN Human Rights Council and will put its new Constitution into effect on January 1, 2014. Vietnam is determined to fulfill its role on the Council and implement the Constitution to achieve new results in human rights in 2014.