Protecting and promoting human rights is a consistent policy in Vietnam, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang at a press conference today [March 23], in response to a reporter's question about the 2022 U.S. Human Rights Watch report, which accuses several Asian countries, including Vietnam, of grave and systematic human rights violations.

Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang. Source: MoFA

"Vietnam has always considered the people as the driving force of the country's development process and is committed to improving the lives and ensuring the rights of all citizens, leaving no one behind," Hang said.

Hang added that basic human rights were enshrined in Vietnam's constitution and protected by specific laws that were put into effect. She regretted that some biased statements based on inaccurate information about the situation in Vietnam were made in the U.S. State Department's 2022 Annual Report on Human Rights.

Vietnam is always open to frank and constructive discussions with the US on various issues to enhance understanding and contribute to the development of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership, the Foreign Ministry representative stressed.

Last October, Vietnam was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure, which showcased the recognition of the international community to the country’s efforts in ensuring and promoting human rights.

Over the years, Vietnam has placed great emphasis on upholding human rights, as evidenced by its ratification and participation in seven out of nine fundamental United Nations conventions on human rights as of 2021. The Party and State of Vietnam have consistently prioritized the well-being of its citizens, regarding them as the central focus, the most valuable resource, and the ultimate objective of its development efforts. This approach has been codified in the country's Constitution and legal system and is further detailed in policies and plans for socioeconomic advancement.

Despite the challenging circumstances presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam has earned praise for its successful efforts to safeguard human rights, as indicated in the UNDP's report on human development for the 2021-22 period. In fact, the country’s Human Development Index has risen by two places in the global rankings for 2021.