The 19th session of the Vietnam-US Human Rights Dialogue took place in Hanoi on May 7, focusing on a number of relevant issues such as building the State of the rule of law, judicial reform and freedom of expression, freedom of religion, labor rights, and disability rights.
Vũ Anh Quang, Director of the Department of International Organizations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Vietnamese delegation that comprised representatives from the Government Office, the Ministry of Public Security, the People’s Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Communications, and the Government Committee for Religious Affairs.
Meanwhile, the US delegation including officials from the National Security Council, the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the US Agency for International Development, and Trade Representative was headed by Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Tom Malinowski.
The two sides highly valued positive progresses in the Vietnam-US ties across the fields featured in the two countries’ 2013 joint statement, including the human rights dialogue.
Participants shared their country’s efforts, achievements, and challenges in ensuring and promoting human rights and emphasized the need to enhance bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The dialogue was held in an open, candid, and constructive manner as part of the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.
The two sides agreed to continue discussion and exchange of issues of mutual concerns to increase their understanding and develop Vietnam-US relations in celebration of 20 years of their diplomatic ties.
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