Vietnam will continue in its efforts to protect and promote humanrights in general and the rights to freedom of expression andassociation in particular, Ambassador Pham Quoc Tru, deputy head of theVietnam’s Mission to the United Nations (UN), has said.

He madethe remark at a dialogue with UN Special Rapporteurs on freedom ofexpression, peaceful assembly and association on June 10, the firstworking day of the 26 th session of the UN Human Rights Council inGeneva, Switzerland.

The diplomat said that while Vietnamsupports freedom of expression, it shares many countries’ concerns aboutthe rise in actions that take advantage of the freedom to causedisturbance and sabotage national security, social order and publicsafety.

Vietnam supports ensuring citizens’ rights toexpression. However, this is a sensitive issue in which the historical,cultural and religious characteristics of each society must be takeninto account, he noted.

In the opening statement for the UNcouncil’s 26th session, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillayhighlighted achievements reaped by many countries in protecting andpromoting human rights, along with their contributions to UN humanrights mechanisms.

However, she also pointed out major challengesthat may undermine international efforts in the field, such as armedconflicts, corruption, ill-performing economic, financial and socialpolicies, and climate change.

Pillay called for intensifiedcooperation across the globe to promote human rights for all, regardlessof race, gender trends, religion or economic condition.

Thesession, running through to June 27, will also discuss the rights ofwomen and children, media freedom and poverty reduction.

Itwill also consider the approval of the working group reports filed bythe Universal Periodic Review of 14 countries, including Vietnam.-VNA