Vietnam, EU hold annual human rights dialogue

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Vu Anh Quang – Director General of the Foreign Ministry’s International Organisations Department, include representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, public security, justice, information and communications, and home affairs, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium and the EU.

Meanwhile, the EU side was headed by David Daly, head of the South East Asia pision in the European External Action Services.

In an open, straightforward and friendly manner, the dialogue on December 8 looked into relevant issues of shared concern with a view to enhancing mutual understanding, thereby fostering the Vietnam-EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation.

The two sides shared information about their viewpoints, policies, efforts, achievements, as well as challenges in ensuring human rights.

They discussed legal and judicial reforms related to human rights issues; the rights to freedom of speech, belief, religion, association, and peaceful assembly; and the stance on some human rights issues at international organisations, especially the United Nations, and some other matters of mutual interest.

The EU side recognised Vietnam’s efforts and attainments, particularly in building a law-governed State and overhauling the legal system on human rights. It said it wants to bolster cooperation with Vietnam in judicial reform, in implementing the Convention against Torture, preventing and combating human trafficking, and ensuring the rights of vulnerable groups in the society.

On the fringe of the dialogue, the Vietnamese officials had working sessions with Belgium’s Interdepartmental Coordination Platform for the Fight against Trafficking and Smuggling in human beings, and the Belgian Federal Police’s organised crime unit.

They also visited a support centre for human trafficking victims and met representatives of some non-governmental organisations to discuss human rights matters of common concern.