VN expresses disappointment over UN Human Rights report

Việt Nam yesterday said it is "extremely disappointed" with the inaccurate, unverified and unfair information contained in the stakeholders' submissions on Việt Nam on human rights for review by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Đoàn Khắc Việt, at the regular press briefing held in Hà Nội, has criticised the summary report gathering opinions from about 45 organisations with regard to the human rights situation in the fourth cycle of Việt Nam's UNHRC Universal Periodic Review.

"We are extremely disappointed that despite the full representation of UN agencies in Việt Nam and their long term and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnamese branches, ministries and agencies, the stakeholders' submissions on Việt Nam under the UNHRC Universal Periodic Review has numerous instances of unjustified information and many biased and unfair assessments that do not accurately or fully reflect the real situation, the efforts and achievements of Việt Nam pertaining to protection and promotion of human rights," Việt stressed.

The deputy spokesperson remarked that the drafting of Việt Nam's national report for UPR fourth cycle has been carried out "in a serious and comprehensive manner, having the full participation of relevant parties and the UN agencies in Việt Nam."

However, the drafting of the UN stakeholders' submissions on Việt Nam has not maintained transparency, Việt said, adding that "they are not commensurate with Việt Nam's goodwill cooperation in the development of the national report."

The summary report does not reflect the spirit or reality of cooperation between Việt Nam and the UN, and the priorities agreed on by Việt Nam and the UN development agencies, Việt said.

"We hope that the future cooperation between the UN development agencies in Việt Nam needs to be implemented in accordance with the functions and tasks of relevant agencies as well as Việt Nam's priorities and demands."

The consideration for the fourth cycle reviews for Việt Nam is scheduled to take place on May 7, 2024, at UN headquarters in New York.

Việt Nam is also closely following Cambodia's Funan Techo Canal and has asked Cambodia to cooperate and share information regarding this ambitious project connected to the Mekong River.

Responding to queries from reporters for Việt Nam's reaction over potential security concerns arising from Cambodia's megaproject, Việt noted: "Việt Nam supports the economic and social development needs of Mekong River countries, while also underscoring the importance of enhancing cooperation to effectively and sustainably manage and utilise the Mekong River's water resources for the sustainable development of the basin, the benefits of communities along the basin, the future generations, and the solidarity between Mekong countries."

Việt Nam is very interested in the Funan Techo Canal project and has also proposed that Cambodia "closely coordinate with Việt Nam and the Mekong River Commission in sharing information and assessing the impacts of this project on water resources and the ecological environment of the Mekong Delta region to ensure the harmonised interests of riverine countries and people living in the area."

According to information from Cambodia, the Us$1.7-billion canal will be approximately 180km long, passing through four provinces with a total population of 1.6 million people living on both sides, connecting the capital city Phnom Penh with its southern coast (near Kiên Giang Province of Việt Nam).

The construction of this project by the state-owned China Bridge and Road Corporation (CRBC) is slated to start in the fourth quarter of 2024.