UN Resident Coordinator Pratibha Mehta made the commitment at the December 3 ceremony in Hanoi releasing the Universal Periodic Review’s (UPR) Vietnam report.

She congratulated Vietnam on its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2014–2016 term, citing it as proof of the country’s active participation in recent international human rights initiatives.

Mehta hailed Vietnam’s commitments to improve its judicial and legal systems and reinforce State institutions protecting human rights.

HRC membership means Vietnam will be held to the highest possible human rights standards, she said.

Hoang Chi Trung, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department for International Organisations, said a high number of votes for Vietnam’s HRC membership testified to the international community’s recognition for the country’s Renewal achievements, diplomatic relations, and contributions to a variety of multilateral forums and institutions.

He emphasised as a member of the HRC, Vietnam will have more opportunities to share experience in human rights protection and promotion, participate in addressing international human rights issues, and expand its international partnerships.

The HRC will benefit from Vietnam’s ASEAN, non-aligned movement, Francophone, and other regional organisation memberships, as well as the human rights lessons it has learned over the course of its renewal process, he told Mehta.

In late 2012, the Prime Minister authorised establishing a multi-sector working group to draft the UPR. The drafting process has encompassed research, surveys, and a series of seminars conducted at both central and grassroots levels.

The review, consisting of 85 articles, provides an overview of Vietnam’s human rights situation, its previous and ongoing attempts to improve human rights protection, and its future human rights priorities and commitments.

Vietnam will present the completed review to the HRC in January 2014.