The Foreign Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a consultation workshop to discuss the draft national report of Vietnam under the second cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Hanoi on August 6.

The draft report focuses on the outcomes of the implementation of proposals included in the first period of the UPR and recent progress in ensuring human rights in Vietnam .

Addressing the event, Hoang Chi Trung, Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Department for International Organisations, said collecting the opinions of relevant parties is an obligation following the direction of the UN Human Rights Council.

This is also a chance for the parties to discuss policies to ensure human rights and review the country’s achievements as well as challenges facing Vietnam, thus making the report balanced, comprehensive and close to the real situation, contributing to securing human rights in Vietnam, he said.

During the event, which attracted the participation of representatives from various political, social, non-governmental and relevant organisations, attendees agreed that the draft report has successfully shown Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights.

They also pointed out shortcomings and challenges that the country is facing in guaranteeing the rights of vulnerable groups, especially the disabled, as well as gender equality and child protection.

Individuals and organisations can contribute their opinions to the draft report until August 15.

The report is scheduled to be delivered at the UN Human Rights Council in January 2014.-VNA