PANO – The 19th session of the Vietnam-US Human Rights Dialogue took place in Hanoi on May 7th. The Vietnamese delegation, which consisted of representatives of Governmental Office, the Ministry of Public Security, the People’s Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Governmental Committee for Religious Affairs, was led by Vu Anh Quang, Director of the Department of International Organizations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the US side, Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights, Democracy and Labor Tom Malinowski headed a delegation of officials from the National Security Council, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, and the US Agency for International Development and Trade.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (4th from the left) receiving the US delegation. Photo: chinhphu.vn

The two sides highlighted positive developments of bilateral relations between the USA and Vietnam over the past time in all areas, and repeated the 2013 Vietnam-US Joint Statement that involves human rights.

Delegates of the two sides also briefed each other on the efforts, achievements and challenges in promoting and guaranteeing human rights; exchanged views on human rights and related issues of mutual concern; and openly discussed issues on rule of law, legal reform, rights of speech, rights of religion, rights of working people and rights of the handicapped.

At the same time, the two sides underlined the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation on the human rights issue at multilateral forums, particularly UN Human Rights Council.

The dialogue took place in an open, candid and constructive manner and in accordance to the comprehensive partnership.

The two sides agreed to continue discussing and sharing the issues of mutual concerns to further mutual understanding and contribute to the development of the bilateral ties in celebrating 20 years since the establishment of the Vietnam-US diplomatic relations.

Translated by Thu Nguyen