H.E. Iain Frew, British Ambassador to Vietnam

Please share your view about Vietnam’s election. What do you expect Vietnam to contribute during its coming term at the UN HRC?

I congratulate Vietnam on its second election to the UN Human Rights Council 2023-25. We look forward to working with Vietnam to protect and promote human rights around the globe and in Vietnam, in line with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Support for human rights, particularly rights of minority groups, freedom of expression, association, and religion and belief are an important part of the UK’s values and foreign policy. Vietnam alongside all members of the UN Human Rights Council has committed to upholding human rights both at home and around the globe. I look forward to having more conversations with Vietnam’s leaders on the promotion of human rights during Vietnam’s two-year term.

What issues should Vietnam pay attention to and promote during its coming tenure?

Vietnam’s rapid development and modernization is one of the greatest success stories in the region. Through reducing poverty rates from roughly 40% in the 1990s to less than 5% in 2020, Vietnam has made huge strides toward implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and can share this experience with others. Viet Nam has also made good progress on gender equality, with one of the highest rates of female labor market participation in the region, and has a positive story to tell on LGBT+ rights.

As Vietnam takes on a bigger role in the international system it is important that it shows leadership in all aspects of human rights. Vietnam’s experience as a Security Council member and its participation in UN peacekeeping should provide a basis for our work together to address regional and global human rights challenges.

Thank you for the interview!

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