Vietnam has proposed the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) pay more attention to and further promote the guarantee of socio-economic rights and those of vulnerable groups.

The country has also suggested the Council enhancing the assessment of impacts of climate change, environmental degradation and overexploitation of natural resources on people’s life and safety.

The proposals, delivered at the 25 th session of the UNHRC in Geneva, Switzerland, were recalled by Hoang Chi Trung, head of the Department for International Organisations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in his interview granted to the press on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh’s participation in the event.

The diplomat also confirmed that these proposals, along with many issues such as fighting poverty, minimising impacts of foreign debts on the enjoyment and protection of human rights, protecting the environment, and fighting violence and child trafficking that will be discussed during this session, are major orientations and priorities that Vietnam is implementing.

In parallel with boosting those activities, Trung said that Vietnam will join other nations in fostering constructive dialogue and mutual respect among UNHRC members while maintaining and promoting a comprehensive, full and balanced approach in all issues, thus contributing to ensuring the success and efficiency of the session and its high-level segment.

According to the diplomat, this is the first time Vietnam has attended a high-level segment of the UNHRC as a member, reflecting the acknowledgement and objective evaluation of the international community for Vietnam’s human rights efforts and achievements as well as the esteem of countries towards its wish and capacity to contribute more to the world’s joint endeavours in this field and the improvement of the council’s operations.

With international expectations and its active international integration policy, Vietnam has committed to being an active and responsible member that will make practical contributions to the common affairs of the council, he said.

The nation will work closely with other member countries and observers in issues of common concern related to human rights, he confirmed.

The session, which opened on March 3, gathers delegates from nearly 100 countries worldwide in reviewing the Council’s activities and discussing ways to protect and promote the rights of immigrants, children, and people with disabilities.

They also focus on empowering the disabled to gain access to education as well as anti-genocide works.

On November 12, 2013, Vietnam was elected to the UNHRC for the 2014-2016 tenure for the first time, being acknowledged by the international community for its recent achievements in exercising civil, political, economic, cultural and social rights.-VNA