Vietnam calls for dialogue to protect human rights in Burundi
Vietnam has called for dialogue and reconciliation to ensure security and human rights in Burundi in the wake of mounting violence in the African nation.
Burundian people at a refuge camp in Kigoma, Tanzania (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Geneva (VNA)𒊎 – Vietnam has called for dialogue and reconciliation to ensure security and human rights in Burundi in the wake of mounting violence in the African nation.
A representative of the Vietnamese permanent mission in Geneva, Switzerland, made the appeal at a special session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on December 17 which was held at the request of some 40 HRC member and observer countries. It drew the participation of representatives from more than 160 member and observer countries and relevant international organisations.
The Vietnamese representative stressed that as a member of the UNHRC, the country closely monitors and shares the international community’s deep concerns over the escalating violence in the central African country.
It condemns violence and human rights violations against civilians, particularly vulnerable groups like women and children.
Vietnam supports necessary assistance by the international community, especially the UN and the African Union (AU), with the agreement of authorities and relevant parties in Burundi, to expeditiously end violence and hold dialogue to seek peaceful solutions, the representative added.
In their reports, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other senior UN and AU officials said the surge of violence in Burundi is pushing the country to the brink of a civil war, posing a risk of relapse into genocide.
They emphasised that attacks by both government and opposition forces have claimed hundreds of lives, many others have been kidnapped and tortured, while more than 200,000 people were forced to seek refuge. Limited access to health care and food has affected people, especially women and children.
The High Commissioner and officials called for urgent actions by the UNHRC and countries around the world to prevent the aggravation of the human rights situation in Burundi.
At the session, more than 70 UNHRC member and observer countries voiced serious concerns over the growing violence in Burundi and demanded the government and opposition sides in the African nation immediately halt violence against civilians and swiftly hold substantive dialogues to seek political solutions to the domestic conflict. They also asked the UN to enhance the implementation and expansion of efforts relating to Burundi within the framework of the UN Security Council and the UNHRC.
Following the discussion, the UNHRC ratified a resolution condemning violence and human rights violations in Burundi. The document also tasked the UN High Commissioner with promoting efforts to learn about the reality, offer technical support and cooperate with the country’s authorities and relevant sides to prevent a risk of more severe human rights violations.-VNA
The Vietnamese delegation took an active part at the just-concluded 30th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister approved a master plan to implement the recommendations Vietnam has accepted in line with the UN’s second-circle universal periodic review (UPR) on human rights.
Vietnam steadfastly pursues the policy of ensuring full enforcement of basic rights and freedom for each citizen, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc has written in an article.
Vietnam is playing its increasingly active role in the global human rights system, Dennis Curry from the UN Development Programme said at a seminar on Dec. 10 in response to World Human Rights Day.
Vietnam has been contributing to protecting and advancing the value of human rights in a direct, responsible and constructive manner during its membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Burundian people at a refuge camp in Kigoma, Tanzania (Photo: AFP/VNA)
