Spokesperson for the foreign ministry Phạm Thu Hằng. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam has accused the recently released human rights report by the European Union (EU) of containing "biased assessments" that failed to represent the situation in Việt Nam.

Spokesperson for the foreign ministry Phạm Thu Hằng at the regular press briefing in Hà Nội on Thursday, said the 2023 edition of the EU Annual Report on Human Rights & Democracy in the World (released by the European External Action Service in late May), while having reflected some achievements and progresses of Việt Nam in guaranteeing human rights, "continued to put forth a number of biased assessments based on inaccurate information that do not reflect the reality in Việt Nam.

"We have on numerous occasions stated that the protection and promotion of human rights is a consistent policy of the state of Việt Nam."

Việt Nam always considers humans as the centre and driver of the đổi mới (renewal) process and the social economic development of the nation, Hằng noted, adding that Việt Nam is constantly making efforts to improve the lives of the people.

"The basic rights and freedoms of humans are recognised in the Constitution and Vietnamese law and is insured and respected in practice," the spokesperson stressed.

Hằng commented that Việt Nam's efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights have been widely recognised and appreciated by the international community.

According to the diplomat, the comprehensive cooperation and partnership between Việt Nam and the EU is "flourishing" and Việt Nam stands ready to cooperate with EU in issues pertaining to human rights in the spirit of openness, candidness and mutual respect through annual dialogues and other bilateral mechanisms.

"We believe that the promotion of further discussions and dialogues through existing operational mechanisms will help the EU gain a more objective understanding of the reality and Việt Nam with regards to the promotion and protection of human rights in Việt Nam, and it will contribute to the strengthening of Việt Nam-EU relations," Hằng said. — VNS