VN rejects US prejudiced Human Rights Report
VNGOP – Answering reporters’ question on March 13 about Việt Nam’s reaction to the US Human Rights Report 2007 released on March 11 that mentions issues in Việt Nam, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lê Dũng showed his regret that the Report still does not give objective observations on the real situation in Viet Nam and is based on false and prejudiced information.
“During the past years, Việt Nam has made great achievements in ensuring and developing its citizens’ freedom in all fields, including freedom of speech, freedom of press and freedom of information,” Mr. Lê Dũng he said, adding that this can be clearly seen through the strong development of means of communication, especially the Internet.
These achievements have been recognized and highly appreciated by international community, he added.
The Spokesman re-confirmed that the State of Việt Nam always respects citizens’ rights to freedom and democracy. However, like in other countries, it is unacceptable if these rights are exploited to violate the law.
“Nobody in Việt Nam has been arrested for reasons relating to political views or religion, and only those who violate laws are handled in accordance with law,” the diplomat stressed.
Dung said it is normal that Việt Nam and the US have differences in human rights issues and called upon increased exchange and dialogue based on equality and without interference in the other’s internal affairs.
These talks would help raise mutual understanding between Việt Nam and the US in human rights-related issues as well as contribute to boosting bilateral ties in line with the US-Việt Nam Joint Statements issued on May 2005 and October 2006 between the two high-level leaders, he concluded.
