Ohrc human rights at work

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Keeping the society safe against pandemics is the best way to ensure each member can fully enjoy their human rights.

That was the message from Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh speaking during a High-level Segment of the 46th Regular Session of the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) via video conference on February 22.

Minh told the event that the COVID-19 pandemic had claimed the lives of millions, affected the well-being of billions around the world, and had strained public health and social security systems of all countries, triggering and exacerbating various human rights challenges.

However, “Việt Nam continues to put emphasis on the protection and promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of our people, even in this most difficult of times,” he said, adding that the country had tackled the pandemic head on, putting the people at the centre of all its efforts.

Prompt and determined actions had been taken to control outbreaks to protect the health and safety of the people as a matter of top priority. Efforts were also made to maintain economic growth and social welfare, to leave no one behind.

Thanks to the whole-of-government approach and the overwhelming support and solidarity of all people, COVID-19 had largely been controlled in Việt Nam, Minh said.

He went on to say that the Vietnamese economy continued to grow at almost 3 per cent in 2020 and timely support had been given to businesses and people affected by the pandemic, especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, children and people with disabilities.

“COVID-19 has left no country untouched,” he said.

“No one can be safe until everyone is safe. As part of the international community, we are all in this together. Therefore, international solidarity and cooperation is critical to help us rise above challenges and move forward.”

Minh used the occasion to offer thanks for the valuable support from partner countries, international organisations, non-governmental organisations and people around the world helping Việt Nam’s fight against the pandemic. He also shared that Việt Nam had provided medical masks and supplies to support more than 50 countries and international partners in their response to the pandemic.

As proposed by Việt Nam, the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution proclaiming December 27 as the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness to help raise awareness on the importance of preventing and responding to epidemics.

To further contribute effectively to joint efforts in protecting and promoting human rights, Việt Nam presented its candidature for membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2023-25, he added.

The UNHRC’s 46th regular session is taking place from February 22 to March 23 to discuss measures to promote and protect humans rights in all civil, political, socio-economic and cultural aspects.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, chaired by President of the UNHRC Nazhat Shameem Khan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised that human rights are the basis for connecting humanity, resolving conflicts and building sustainable peace and the UNHRC is the main global body to address challenges on human rights.

He said that the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated human rights challenges and seriously affected vulnerable groups. He called for joint action in priority areas of anti-racism, anti-discrimination and anti-xenophobia, and gender equality.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet stressed pandemic response measures should be carried out on the basis of ensuring human rights, the community’s trust and democratic institutions effectively. — VNS

Minh, who is leading the Vietnamese delegation to an UNHRC session, said on Monday the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has killed millions and affected billions of others, burdening countries’ medical and social security systems and affecting human rights.

The Vietnamese government portal quoted him as saying that as the world move towards a “new normal,” the pandemic serves as an opportunity for it to build a brighter future where international unity and cooperation are key elements in overcoming challenges.

Saying that keeping society safe amid the pandemic is the best way to ensure human rights, he highlighted Vietnam’s policies, efforts and achievements in protecting and promoting human rights in fighting the pandemic, sustaining economic growth and ensuring social security.

He also noted Vietnam’s contribution to the global pandemic fight in the form of supplying masks and medical equipment to over 50 countries and recommending that Dec. 27 be made International Day for Epidemic Preparedness to promote awareness of disease prevention and response.

Vietnam has presented its candidature for membership of the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2023-25 tenure.

The 46th Regular Session of the UNHRC opened in Geneva, Switzerland on Monday with a high-level segment attended by more than 115 delegations.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh and the Vietnamese delegation participated in the meeting via videoconference.

At the event, Minh stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed the lives of millions, affected the well-being of billions around the world, and strained the public health and social security systems of all countries, thus triggering and exacerbating various human rights challenges.

However, the world is moving toward a “new normal,” he continued, adding that the pandemic has offered the globe a new pathway to “build forward better,” based on adaptability, innovation, cooperation, and solidarity at local, national, and global levels.

“Vietnam believes strongly that ensuring a safe society against epidemics like COVID-19 is the best way to ensure that each and every member of the society can fully enjoy their human rights,” Minh remarked.

The country has tackled the COVID-19 pandemic head-on, taken prompt and resolute actions to control outbreaks and protect the health and safety of the people, as well as exerted efforts to maintain economic growth and social welfare.

Vietnam is grateful for the valuable support from partner countries, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and people around the world.

The country has provided medical masks and supplies to support more than 50 countries and international partners in their response to the pandemic.

To further contribute effectively to joint efforts in protecting and promoting human rights, Vietnam presented its candidature for membership of the UNHRC for the 2023-25 tenure, said Deputy PM Minh.

“We are honored to have been endorsed as the ASEAN candidate for this post, and look forward to the support from all UN member states,” he added.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) said Tuesday Britain had failed to protect potential victims of child trafficking in a case dating back to 2009, and breached two articles relating to the prohibition of forced labor and the right to a fair trial.

The court ordered Britain to pay 25,000 euros in damages and 20,000 euros for costs and expenses to each of the applicants, who are now in their 20s.

The British government has three months to decide whether to appeal the ruling at the ECHR’s grand chamber.

Britain’s Home Office (interior ministry) said in statement that it was “carefully considering” the judgment.

“The government is committed to tackling the heinous crime of modern slavery and ensuring that victims are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives,” it said.

Anti-slavery advocates welcomed the ruling and said it could affect the treatment of victims in other European nations.

“It’s actually a game changer on the rights of all victims of trafficking to protection,” said Parosha Chandran, a barrister who represented one of the two applicants in the case.

“This judgment will count for many victims today, tomorrow and in many years to come,” she added.

In its ruling, the Strasbourg-based court outlined how the two Vietnamese applicants – referred to as V.C.L. and A.N. – were discovered working on cannabis farms in Britain in 2009, and charged with drugs offenses to which they pleaded guilty.

Following their conviction, the two teenagers were detained in young offenders’ institutions before later being recognized by British authorities as victims of human trafficking.

However, prosecutors ultimately concluded that they had not been trafficked and Britain’s Court of Appeal ruled that the decision to prosecute them had been justified, the ruling said.

But the ECHR said prosecutors did not give clear reasons to challenge the classification of the two Vietnamese as victims of trafficking, and that the Court of Appeal had only addressed whether the decision to prosecute had been an abuse of process.

The lack of any assessment of whether the applicants had been trafficked may have prevented them from securing important evidence capable of helping their defense, the ruling said.

The United Kingdom thus violated Article 4 – prohibition of forced labor – and Article 6 – right to a fair trial – under the European Convention on Human Rights, according to the ECHR.

A record 10,627 suspected modern slaves were identified in Britain in 2019 – up by 52 percent in a year – while the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the crime further underground with victims less likely to be found or receive help, according to activists.

Police, lawyers and campaigners have raised concerns that children are often prosecuted on drug charges despite evidence suggesting they were coerced, and a legal defense protecting such defendants under Britain’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act.

“This case overwhelmingly proves identification is key for child victims of trafficking, particularly if they are caught up in criminal exploitation,” said Anna Sereni, coordinator of the Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group, a coalition of charities.

“We’re glad that the ECHR acknowledged the importance of protecting children through principles of non-punishment and non-prosecution,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.