Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt (first row, third from left) at the human rights session on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo

GENEVA — The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on September 27 adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)’s fourth cycle for Việt Nam, as part of its 57th regular session.

This adoption marked the completion of the fourth cycle review regarding the protection and promotion of human rights in Việt Nam and paved the way for the next phase of implementing recommendations.

Led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt, the Vietnamese delegation presented the country's stance on the recommendations made in the fourth-cycle UPR. They also provided updates on Việt Nam's human rights situation and  highlighted the country's efforts to ensure the safety, stability and swift recovery of livelihoods and production for people during and after typhoon Yagi.

The event drew around 90 representatives from various countries, international and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), including Vietnamese NGOs.

Việt informed the UNHRC of Việt Nam's decision to accept 271 out of the 320 recommendations made by countries at the May 2024 dialogue session on its national report, achieving an acceptance rate of 84.7 per cent, the highest across the four UPR cycles.

Việt Nam reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and promoting human rights, as well as its respect for the UPR mechanism and the UNHRC. This stance was developed through a careful review of the recommendations, with the full involvement of relevant agencies, he said.

A comprehensive plan to follow these recommendations will be built and launched with the full involvement of all stakeholders, based on the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, Việt said.

In its update to the UNHRC on the protection and promotion of human rights, Việt highlighted Việt Nam's ongoing efforts to strengthen relevant legal frameworks by promulgating and amending several key laws related to human and civil rights. Significant progress has also been made in gender equality, empowering women, and protecting vulnerable groups, he noted.

The official also spotlighted Việt Nam’s 2024 amnesty policy, which will grant clemency to thousands of prisoners, helping them reintegrate into society and make positive contributions to the community.

Representatives of various countries, international organisations, and NGOs praised Việt Nam’s serious participation throughout the UPR process, particularly for accepting a high proportion of recommendations and developing a well-structured follow-up plan.

They also commended Việt Nam’s impressive achievements in protecting and promoting human rights, especially amid challenges such as the pandemic, climate change and natural disasters.

Việt Nam’s progress in multiple areas was acknowledged, including improving institutions and laws relating to human rights, socio-economic development, innovation, sustainable poverty reduction, and ensuring social welfare and the rights of vulnerable groups. Many countries encouraged Việt Nam to continue leveraging its experiences and best practices in carrying out the UPR recommendations. — VNA/VNS