Vietnam will run for a position on the United Nations Human Rights Council, Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh announced at the Council’s 16 th session in Geneva on February 28.

He said Vietnam will perform well at the post and make positive contributions to the Council to ensure a world of peace, prosperity and equality.

Human rights in North Africa and the Middle East, especially in Libya , and the assessment of the council’s effectiveness, were the major issues discussed at the meeting, which brought together 70 high-ranking state leaders around the world.

The Vietnamese diplomat said the recent situation in North Africa and the Middle East showed the close connection between peace, stability and the enforcement of basic human rights.

Noting protecting and promoting human rights as the first and foremost responsibility of relevant countries, Minh called upon all parties concerned in Libya to seek a peaceful solution to the current situation without outside intervention to ensure the country’s stability as well as the safety of foreigners, especially guest workers.

He emphasised the need for all countries to abide by the general principles of the Council to make it a forum where they dialogue and work together in addressing human rights issues in a fair and comprehensive manner.

The Deputy FM presented Vietnam ’s human rights policies and laws as well as its achievements in human rights protection, especially in reducing poverty, maintaining economic growth and ensuring people’s human rights.

Achievements in legal, judicial and administrative reforms have contributed to promoting people’s rights, Minh emphasised.

He affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to international dialogue and cooperation on human rights, considering the universal periodic review as an important tool for countries to share their experiences on promoting human rights.

Vietnam is seriously implementing the recommendations it accepted in a responsible manner, said Minh.

In 2010, Vietnam welcomed two UN independent experts on ethnic minorities and poverty issues and will receive two special rapporteurs on the effects of foreign debts and health in 2011.

Talking with the Geneva-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent, the Deputy FM said the UN Human Rights Council has over the past five years worked to promote and ensure the enforcement of human rights in the fields of economy, culture, social affairs and politics as well as boosted cooperation among countries around the world.

The UN Human Rights Council’s 16 th session will last until March 25.

Source: VNA