A meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council. (Photo: telesurenglish)

Apart from the high-level segment from February 28 to March 2, the session also included an urgent debate on the human rights situation in Ukraine, along with many panel discussions and dialogues on human rights in some countries. It adopted the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reports of 13 countries and 35 resolutions.

In his pre-recorded speech at the high-level segment on March 2, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Viet Nam wishes to contribute to the world’s common efforts to promote and protect human rights through its candidature for the HRC membership for the 2023 - 2025 tenure.

He noted Viet Nam stands ready to work closely with other member states and stakeholders to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the HRC through dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect. It will promote the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in a comprehensive and holistic manner, in all civil, political, economic, social, cultural and developmental aspects.

“Our efforts will focus in particular on the protection of vulnerable groups and combating violence and discrimination against them; the promotion of gender equality, especially for women and girls in the era of digital transformation; and on protection and promotion of human rights in addressing global issues, especially climate change,” the minister added.

Speaking at the meetings, the Vietnamese delegation highlighted the country’s policies, engagement in international cooperation, and achievements in promoting and protecting human rights towards the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of Viet Nam’s permanent mission to the UN, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other international organisations in Geneva, stressed the country’s consistent implementation and outstanding attainments in human rights protection.

She called on all nations and the HRC to enhance cooperation and dialogue to substantively promote human rights in reality instead of criticising certain countries on the basis of imprecise and unfully verified information.

The Vietnamese delegation and the core group for climate change and human rights (the Philippines and Bangladesh), with the support of 102 countries, delivered a joint speech stressing that effective actions around the world to resolve the root causes of climate change are critical to promoting and protecting human rights.

They also appealed for greater financial and technical assistance for developing countries to help them cope with climate change.

Viet Nam also actively engaged in the drafting of documents which were adopted by the HRC at this session, including a resolution on equitable, timely, and universal access to COVID-19 vaccines.

In addition, Viet Nam and other ASEAN countries delivered some joint remarks on the importance of policies and public services for protecting economic, cultural, and social rights to help with post-pandemic recovery; equitable, full, and timely access by all countries to COVID-19 vaccines at reasonable cost; UN human rights procedures and mechanisms; and technical cooperation and capacity building.