The following text is a joint EU-Vietnam press release:
Vietnam and the European Union (EU) held their annual Human Rights Dialogue in Ha Noi on 9 June 2023.
The Vietnam and EU delegations expressed their mutual appreciation of the partnership between Vietnam and the European Union, notably since the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) came into effect in August 2020 and through regular exchanges of high-level delegations.
They outlined their commitments to the protection and promotion of human rights within Vietnam and the EU and to overcoming challenges in this area. The two delegations elaborated on measures for protecting and promoting human rights in Vietnam and the EU since the last Dialogue.
The EU welcomed Vietnam’s ratification of most core ILO conventions while urging Vietnam to ratify the remaining Convention 87 and to adopt the decree on workers’ representative organisations.
The two delegations exchanged views and concerns on the rule of law and access to justice, the promotion of economic, social, and cultural rights, and the protection of persons in vulnerable situations. They also committed to work for the further improvement of the enjoyment of civil and political rights. Particular emphasis was made by the EU on freedom of expression and association. Vietnam and the EU stressed the importance of cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms in promoting human rights. Both parties highlighted that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated.
Progress and developments regarding gender equality, rights of the child, rights of LGBTI persons, and combating human trafficking were also discussed in detail. Vietnam and the EU and noted the significant roles played by the media, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders and the need to ensure a conducive environment for their effective participation, including in the context of the PCA and EVFTA. The two sides reiterated their positions on the death penalty and agreed to further exchanges on this issue.
The discussion also covered human rights issues at multilateral fora and the possibilities of cooperation between the two sides, including the fulfillment of international human rights commitments, the implementation of accepted UPR recommendations, and preparation for the upcoming 4th cycle of the UPR mechanism.
They also discussed and considered areas for cooperation, especially during Vietnam’s membership of the Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025. The EU noted the leading role of Vietnam in the resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action, which reaffirms the international community’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights.
Vietnam and the EU highlighted the importance of continued cooperation and open and frank dialogue in this field, including through the annual EU – Vietnam Human Rights Dialogues, contributing to the bilateral partnership.