Australia and Viet Nam held the 19th Australia-Viet Nam Human Rights Dialogue on 30 July 2024 in Canberra, Australia.
The Dialogue was co-chaired by Australia’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Ms Bronte Moules, and Viet Nam’s Director-General of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Pham Hai Anh. The Dialogue included a broad delegation from both sides, including the Australian Human Rights Commission.
The Dialogue was sincere, frank and constructive, spanning civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Discussion covered the importance of the promotion and protection of freedom of expression, association and assembly, their respective approaches to human rights, updates on rule of law and legal reform, policies to protect the rights of women and children, Indigenous Australians and Vietnamese ethnic minorities, the LGBTI community, and persons with disabilities. Australia and Viet Nam also discussed their respective approaches to the death penalty.
The two sides reaffirmed the importance of our ongoing cooperation in the multilateral system, including the United Nations (UN) human rights fora. They also discussed opportunities for cooperation with and assistance by Australia on the enhancement of the promotion and protection of human rights in Viet Nam, including through support delivered by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
The Dialogue is an important part of our bilateral relationship. This year’s Dialogue was especially significant, as the first to occur since Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Viet Nam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The CSP renewed the commitment to promote and protect human rights in accordance with international law and to strengthen and contribute to the work of the UN Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
The Dialogue noted the important role of the media, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders to make a positive contribution to each society.
Australia and Viet Nam also committed to continue cooperating to foster inclusive societies that embrace and provide equal opportunities and respect for the human rights of all people, without discrimination of any kind. In discussion on Viet Nam’s fourth Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council in May 2024, Australia encouraged Viet Nam to accept and implement recommendations made by Australia, including enacting laws to provide for freedom of peaceful assembly in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Viet Nam underlined that it was in the process of reviewing all recommendations received to consider supporting acceptable recommendations in line with Vietnamese Constitution and legislation, including Article 25 of the Constitution on the right to assembly.
While in Australia, the delegation from Viet Nam met Commissioners and senior officials of the Australian Human Rights Commission and visited the Silverwater Correctional Complex in Sydney.
Australia and Viet Nam look forward to participating in the 20th Human Rights Dialogue to be held in Viet Nam in 2025.
