Geneva (VNA) – “Vietnam attaches great importance to the right to food as it is part of the economic, social and cultural rights which must be treated on an equal basis as the civil and political rights,” said Vietnamese ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan at the seventh session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 17.

“Vietnam welcomes the Special Rapporteur's report on his visit to Cuba from October 28 to November 6, 2007 at the invitation of the Government of Cuba. The visit shows Cuba 's willingness toward constructive dialogue and cooperation with the international mechanisms on the protection and promotion of human rights,” ambassador Xuan said.

About the Special Rapporteur's report on human rights in Myanmar, the Vietnamese representative said: “As a South East Asian country, Viet Nam follows closely developments in Myanmar. Vietnam encourages efforts to promote national reconciliation, dialogue and enhance democracy in Myanmar.

“Viet Nam welcomes the Government of Myanmar’s announcement that it would hold a national referendum on the country's constitution in May 2008 to implement Myanmar's seven-step Road Map toward democracy, ambassador.”

He noted “Viet Nam also supports the cooperation between the Government of the Myanmar and the United Nations to advance the process of national reconciliation.”

“Viet Nam has been engaged in dialogue with the Government of Myanmar and other international partners in various ways regarding the issue. And Viet Nam is of the view that the final decision has to be made by the people of Myanmar,” he added.

Regarding the special formal function of the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Vietnamese representative said:

“Viet Nam attaches great importance to the international cooperation in the protection and promotion of human rights. Resolution A/60/251 on the establishment of this important Human Rights Council affirms the need for all states to continue international efforts to enhance dialogue and broaden understanding among civilisations, cultures and religions. This resolution also decides that the work of the Council should be guided by the principles of constructive international dialogue and cooperation. These definitely are essential factors for success in international cooperation in this area of human rights.”

He added: “For the above-mentioned reasons, Viet Nam shares the reservations maintained by many other UN Member States about resolutions aimed at specific countries as these resolutions have often been used for non-objective, selective and political purposes, leading to confrontation.

“The mandates established by these resolutions, including that on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, should be considered,” ambassador Xuan said.-