Vietnam, Switzerland convene human rights dialogue
The 14th round of the annual human rights dialogue between Vietnam and Switzerland recently took place in Bern city, Switzerland in a candid, sincere and constructive manner.
The UN Human Rights Council meeting hall in Geneva, Switzerland (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bern (VNA) – The 14th round of the annual human rights dialogue between Vietnam and Switzerland recently took place in Bern city🌳, Switzerland in a candid, sincere and constructive manner.
The Vietnamese delegation to the dialogue was led by Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organisations Vu Anh Quang, while Ambassador Nicole Wyrsch, special envoy for human rights from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs headed the Swiss delegation.
The two sides informed each other of their achievements and the challenges they face in promoting and ensuring human rights since the previous dialogue round in November 2015.
They shared experience in human rights issues of shared concern, especially in building the law-governed State; judicial reform, especially criminal procedures; the rights to freedom of speech, gathering, association formation; the rights of vulnerable groups in society, especially the disabled and ethnic minorities.
The two sides also discussed enhancing cooperation at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Swiss side spoke highly of Vietnam’s efforts and progress in ensuring human rights over the past time and committed to giving further assistance to Vietnam in judicial reform and ensuring the right of vulnerable groups.
The dialogue contributed to enhancing mutual understanding and promoting the friendship between Vietnam and Switzerland, particularly when the two countries have just celebrated the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.
On October 19, the Vietnamese delegation visited Bern city’s police department and a facility for the disabled.-VNA
Together with running for a seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2014-2016 tenure, Vietnam has made numerous efforts to realise its view of human rights as a common value and aspiration of human beings as well as represent its consistent policy of respecting and ensuring human rights, and enhancing international cooperation in this field.
From achievements and experience from its comprehensive renewal process based on three pillars: economic growth, social progress and equality, and guarantee of human rights, Vietnam has made positive contributions to joint efforts by the international community to fostering and better protecting human rights in the world over the past 26 years.
Vietnam steadfastly pursues the policy of ensuring full enforcement of basic rights and freedom for each citizen, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc said.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
The UN Human Rights Council meeting hall in Geneva, Switzerland (Photo: AFP/VNA)
