Geneva (VNA) – The UN Human RightsCouncil (UNHRC) convened the second week of its 46th regular session from March1 to 5, with debates on promoting civil and political rights along witheconomic, cultural, and social rights, including the rights of the child and ofpersons with disabilities (PWDs).

The online debates with UN specialists in chargeof the areas assigned by the UNHRC, including child trafficking and abusecombat, the right to food, the rights of PWDs to participate in sport, thefreedom of religion or belief, and cultural rights, saw the participation of manycountries and international organisations like UN Women, UNICEF, and UNESCO.

During the debates, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai,Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, the World Trade Organisation,and other international organisations in Geneva, highlighted the VietnameseGovernment’s policies, efforts, and achievements in promoting human rights,including the rights of the child, the rights of PWDs, cultural rights, and theright to food in the country.

She affirmed that amid extremely complexdevelopments of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s successes in controlling andresponding to the outbreak, maintaining high economic growth compared to theworld’s average, and supporting vulnerable groups in society have clearlyreflected the clear-sightedness and effectiveness of the Government’s policiesand the country’s human rights commitments under the international treaties towhich it is a party.

At panel discussions, representatives of Vietnamalso emphasised the country’s consistent implementation and outstandingattainments in ensuring children’s rights, PWDs’ right to participate in sport,the right to food, and cultural rights.

Vietnam stated that the promotion and protectionof human rights, including cultural rights and the right to food amid thepandemic, have provided spiritual support for people and helped improve theeffectiveness of the COVID-19 fight.

Apart from containing the coronavirus outbreakand boosting post-pandemic recovery, Vietnam also successfully organised theannual national sports tournament for PWDs in December 2020, and it is activelypreparing for the ASEAN Para Games, slated for December 2021.

At general debates, Vietnam called on countriesand the UNHRC to enhance cooperation and dialogue to substantively promotehuman rights in reality instead of basing on imprecise and unverifiedinformation to criticise certain states.

Vietnam and other ASEAN countries also delivereda joint speech at the discussion about the right of PWDs to participate insport, in which they highlighted ASEAN’s efforts to continually hold the ASEANPara Games to foster solidarity, the noble sporting spirit, and humane valuesamong PWDs in the region.

Opened on February 22, the UNHRC’s 46th regularsession is scheduled to last through March 23 and adopt about 30 – 40 draftresolutions./.