Workshop seeks ways to protect and promote human rights amid COVID-19

The event was part of the activities to observe Human Rights Day on December 10.

Scene at the workshop

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu recalled the major challenges brought about by COVID-19 in the world and in Vietnam over the past year, which have disrupted the global promotion of fundamental human rights.

Hieu affirmed that in such a context, the Vietnamese Government has paid attention to protecting the vulnerable, including the needy, those with disabilities, the elderly, and jobless people. The country also issued various initiatives to promote international cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, including a proposal to mark the annual International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on December 27. The resolution was approved by the U.N. General Assembly on December 7 and co-sponsored by 107 nations.

In addition, Vietnam’s commitments and efforts in protecting and promoting human rights, notably the implementation of recommendations under the Universal Periodic Review mechanism for the third cycle, were acknowledged in speeches by delegates at the workshop. Delegates also discussed legal issues hindering human rights promotion during the pandemic, the practice of human rights in cyberspace, and the role and contribution of every element in society in observing COVID-19 preventive measures.

At the event, delegates shared useful information and experiences and put forward solutions to protect and promote human rights against the backdrop of COVID-19. 

Translated by Chung Anh