Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc made the statement at a July 30-31 seminar in Hanoi as part of a technical cooperation programme on human rights between Vietnam and Australia over the 2012–2013 period.
Ngoc noted many countries are in the process of establishing various institutions to protect human rights, including the national agency on human rights. Researching international experiences will be key to effectively forming such an agency in Vietnam and preparing its legislature and judiciary to formalise the principles in law.
Australian Ambassador Hugh Borrowman said through the cooperation programme Australian experts will help Vietnam raise the capacity of relevant agencies in honouring human rights obligations, consolidate human rights in criminal and civil procedures, and disseminate updated legal information.
Australia will share its human rights perspectives with Vietnam, informing the latter’s choice of a suitable model in line with the Paris Principles and its current socio-economic situation, the ambassador said.
Vietnam’s interest in learning from global human rights developments is demonstrated by its membership of five international human rights conventions.
Vietnam recently approved the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and is planning to join the United Nations Convention against Torture.
The country has decided to stand for a position in the UN Human Rights Council for its 2014–2016 term.
