Vietnamese representatives actively participated in dialogues withUnited Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s Special Rapporteurs onfreedom of religion, belief and cultural rights on March 10-11 inGeneva, Switzerland.
Heiner Beilefeldt, UNHRC’sSpecial Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief, recognisedVietnam’s achievements in observing the freedoms, including theexpansion of religious dignitaries, followers and worship facilities inrecent years.
He acknowledged the cooperative andfavourable conditions Vietnamese authorities have given him during hisstay in Vietnam to study and develop a report on the country’sprogress in the field.
Beilefeldt suggested thatVietnam continue refining legal regulations on religions and beliefwhile clarifying allegations related to the freedoms.
He also expressed his willingness to continue coordinating with Vietnam as a special rapporteur.
Responding to Beilefeldt’s report, Vietnamese representativeshighlighted the reality of diverse religion and belief in Vietnam,rejecting the more subjective assessments and affirming Vietnam’swillingness to cooperate and talk to settle differences in issues ofmutual concern.
Meanwhile, Farida Shaheed, SpecialRapporteur on cultural rights, who visited Vietnam from November18-29, 2013, recognised the country’s efforts in realising theMillennium Development Goals and improving economic, cultural and socialrights, especially the increased access to education and culture forrural and mountainous area residents.
She also acknowledged improvements in legal frameworks and space for artist creation rights.
Representatives from Vietnam hailed Shaheed’s positive reviewswhile expressing concern about a number of inaccurate and partialstatements included in the report.
Therepresentatives clarified legal frameworks and efforts by the nation toincrease the exercise of their people’s rights to culture, includingperformance activities and new art forms.
Vietnamalso declared its commitment to continue improving the legal systemwhile affirming the willingness to continue working closely with UNHRCofficials.-VNA
Heiner Beilefeldt, UNHRC’sSpecial Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief, recognisedVietnam’s achievements in observing the freedoms, including theexpansion of religious dignitaries, followers and worship facilities inrecent years.
He acknowledged the cooperative andfavourable conditions Vietnamese authorities have given him during hisstay in Vietnam to study and develop a report on the country’sprogress in the field.
Beilefeldt suggested thatVietnam continue refining legal regulations on religions and beliefwhile clarifying allegations related to the freedoms.
He also expressed his willingness to continue coordinating with Vietnam as a special rapporteur.
Responding to Beilefeldt’s report, Vietnamese representativeshighlighted the reality of diverse religion and belief in Vietnam,rejecting the more subjective assessments and affirming Vietnam’swillingness to cooperate and talk to settle differences in issues ofmutual concern.
Meanwhile, Farida Shaheed, SpecialRapporteur on cultural rights, who visited Vietnam from November18-29, 2013, recognised the country’s efforts in realising theMillennium Development Goals and improving economic, cultural and socialrights, especially the increased access to education and culture forrural and mountainous area residents.
She also acknowledged improvements in legal frameworks and space for artist creation rights.
Representatives from Vietnam hailed Shaheed’s positive reviewswhile expressing concern about a number of inaccurate and partialstatements included in the report.
Therepresentatives clarified legal frameworks and efforts by the nation toincrease the exercise of their people’s rights to culture, includingperformance activities and new art forms.
Vietnamalso declared its commitment to continue improving the legal systemwhile affirming the willingness to continue working closely with UNHRCofficials.-VNA
