Palestinian Ambassador: Vietnam will Continue to Affirm Its Role as a Prestigious Country

Saadi Salama, ambassador of Palestine to Vietnam.

On October 11, 2022, Vietnam was elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025, what do you think about this event?

The fact that Vietnam becomes a member of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the term 2023-2025 has shown the international community's confidence in Vietnam. This is a great pride and success for Vietnam and the diplomatic sector particularly.

I believe that becoming a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council is the result of Vietnam's domestic policy. Vietnam has successfully responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring that its people have the right to a happy life. Vietnam promotes economic development and social stability, contributing to making Vietnam a destination for foreign investors.

It proves that the policies applied by the Government of Vietnam have been recognized by the Vietnamese people.

Vietnam is also making efforts to improve people's lives, ensuring that people have the right to an equal life, the right to work and freedom of speech within the framework of the law.

Vietnam is a country with many religions, there is no taboo for anyone who wants to follow any religion. Vietnam also strives to protect human rights, the traditional culture of the Vietnamese people.

In terms of foreign affairs, Vietnam has proven itself to be an active member of the international community. Vietnam's clear policies on issues related to the protection of children's rights, women's rights, and human rights have been mentioned at many meetings that Vietnam has attended in the region and the world.

However, it is also a big challenge for Vietnam, especially with the complicated developments of the world today.

In fact, the judgments of many countries around the world on human rights are not consistent. This situation will prevent further efforts of the international community in respecting human rights.

Vietnam is one of the countries that has experienced many years of war and is a victim of external interference. Therefore, Vietnam will be able to clearly see its responsibility to protect human rights including the right of self-determination, the right to live freely and independently.

I believe that Vietnam will play an active role in promoting countries to have a view of human rights based on international law that the whole world has agreed on.

I hope with the experiences and challenges that Vietnam has had to deal with when fighting for national independence, Vietnam will promote peaceful, fair and sustainable cooperation for the benefit of future generations, and all countries on our planet.

In order to perform well its role in the 2023-2025 term at the UNHRC, what do you think Vietnam should do and focus on?

Regarding domestic affairs, Vietnam needs to continue to strengthen policies for economic and social development, creating conditions for people to settle down and develop.

Vietnam also needs to develop a cultural industry so that Vietnamese people can understand and have a vision of their long-standing culture, imbued with their own identity. That helps to create the foundation for the development of Vietnamese people's thinking.

Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama, head of the diplomatic corps congratulated the 75th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2020). Photo: VNA

Vietnam also needs to continue to respond to challenges such as: improving people's lives; help people have a more prosperous life and create a safer environment (good security, political stability); helping children, women, disadvantaged groups in society.

For the above aspects, Vietnam has made encouraging efforts, so I believe that Vietnam will continue to succeed.

In terms of foreign policy, Vietnam has been a victim of war and had to deal with many challenges when fighting for national independence.

Therefore, I believe Vietnam is experienced enough to recommend that all countries that do not comply with international law should respect human rights.

International law is a solid basis for resolving disputes. On that basis, Vietnam will be able to overcome challenges and difficulties when assuming its role as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term.

How do you expect Vietnam's contribution during this term at the UNHRC?

This is the second time Vietnam has joined the UNHRC. In fact, Vietnam has had successes in domestic and foreign policy. Therefore, Vietnam's role is recognized by many countries around the world.

I believe that Vietnam will continue to affirm its role as a country with prestige and position in the international arena. That position is related to many factors:

First, Vietnam will continue to contribute to socio-economic development globally. It is easy to see that Vietnam has become one of the countries contributing to food security in the world. This is a great contribution to humanity because many countries are currently facing food shortages.

The second is to maintain a peaceful and stable environment in Southeast Asia. This is also a policy that creates conditions for international investors to choose Vietnam as a destination.

Vietnam should continue to maintain its consistent stance that all countries in the world should respect international law, settle all disputes by peaceful means.

We believe that Vietnam will accompany the Palestinian people to continue supporting international efforts, finding a peaceful solution to the Palestinian issue, and protecting human rights.

We hope that Vietnam as a member of the UNHRC will continue to participate in discussions on human rights issues in Palestine.

Could you share your impressions of Vietnam's human rights achievements in recent years?

During my time in Vietnam, I noticed that Vietnamese people are living in a stable environment with a relatively complete legal system.

In terms of economic development, Vietnam has contributed to creating jobs and opportunities for Vietnamese people to have high incomes. The income level of Vietnamese people is currently average and Vietnam is making efforts to increase it. Education and health are also being strongly promoted.

Vietnam is also one of the countries that create conditions for people to access information around the world through social networks and mass media.

However, in an open world, sometimes there are inaccurate information, that can affect people's thinking.

Therefore, it is necessary to build the background knowledge for everyone. That helps them distinguish and be wary of bad and harmful information, creating a positive environment and thinking for people.

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