Viet Nam hosts key consultation on human rights action plan

Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and UNDP, the consultation presented and discussed the draft Action Plan to address recommendations made at Viet Nam's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) held in Geneva in February 2014.

The UPR is a unique process that involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. It provides an opportunity for States to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries, and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. The UPR also includes a sharing of best human rights practices around the globe.

Attending the consultation, the UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Pratibha Mehta congratulated the Government of Viet Nam for its continued commitment to engage with the United Nations human rights mechanisms.

"We are happy to see a diverse audience at today's consultation. All of the participants present here today – Government, development partners, UN colleagues, media and civil society – have important roles in the UPR process" she said.

The second UPR cycle marks a significant step forward in Viet Nam's integration within international human rights instruments. In 2014, Viet Nam received a total of 227 recommendations in which 182 were accepted by the Government. They included a stronger integration into the international human rights machinery; protecting and guaranteeing freedom of information, expression, and association; reducing the number of crimes subject to the death penalty; improving legal and judicial systems as well as a continued strong focus on vulnerable groups, gender equality, poverty reduction and access to basic services. During that cycle, the international community acknowledged Viet Nam for positive steps, including the acceptance of recommendations related to granting legal status to more NGOs and civil society groups and allowing more room for non-State media.

Best practices show that transparency and wide participation are crucial elements of the process. Effective coordination mechanism is also an important principle. The Action Plan could benefit from a time bound plan, with a clear indication of responsibilities among the coordinating agencies. Also, informing the society at large, collecting data systematically and monitoring the process show the commitment of the Government.

At the consultation, the United Nations welcomed closer cooperation with a broad range of national and international partners in implementing UPR recommendations, human rights treaties and conventions that Viet Nam has ratified.

"Respect for human rights is the guiding principle of the United Nations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first global expression of the rights to which all people are entitled. In that spirit, the United Nations in Viet Nam would like to offer full support to the inclusive and action-oriented UPR planning, implementation and monitoring process." Dr. Mehta highlighted.

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The Mission of the United Nations in Viet Nam

The United Nations, in partnership with the government and people of Viet Nam, works to ensure that all Vietnamese people enjoy an increasingly healthy and prosperous life with greater human dignity and expanded choices. Collectively and through its individual agencies, the United Nations cares and creates opportunities for the poor and most vulnerable, and for youth, to whom the future belongs.

In accordance with the United Nations Charter and Millennium Declaration, the United Nations advances the principles of equality and social justice, while providing impartial advice, technical expertise, access to global knowledge and local experience to meet Viet Nam's development challenges.

For further information, please contact:

• Susan Mackay, UN Communications Manager, Tel: +84 91 390 1405, susan.mackay@one.un.org,
• Phan Huong Giang, UN Communication Analyst, Tel: +84-4-38500136, phan.huong.giang@undp.org
• Emma Andersson, UNDP Human Rights and Gender Analyst, Tel: +84-4-38500130, emma.andersson@undp.org