Dialogue between Switzerland and Vietnam on human rights
Bern, 15.03.2008 - A Vietnamese delegation was in Bern and Fribourg from 12-15 March 2008 for the sixth round of the dialogue between Switzerland and Vietnam on human rights and international organisations. During this round, talks took place on questions of penal law, women’s rights and current international human rights issues. The discussion on minority rights was further pursued in the framework of a visit to the bilingual canton of Fribourg and in discussions with experts.
This round offered the delegations the opportunity to create a picture of the most recent developments in the human rights situations in Vietnam and Switzerland. The interest and openness shown by both delegations enabled a fruitful discussion to take place and showed the importance that both countries accord to dialogue.
The discussions focused on the issue of closer cooperation in meeting international standards on women’s rights, on the activities of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on an exchange of experts in the administration of penal sentences and on ensuring respect for minority rights. The Vietnamese delegation explained the procedure for the implementation of the recently passed law against domestic violence, and presented the preparatory measures for accession to the Convention Against Torture. In view of Vietnam’s current membership of the United Nations Security Council, both sides agreed that human rights also applied to the struggle against terrorism. Both delegations also agreed to the high importance that should be given to protecting children in zones of armed conflict.The Vietnamese delegation also took pains to confirm that Vietnam was working to abolish the death penalty. The possibility of a provisional moratorium on the death penalty as well as the publication of full information on the use of the death penalty in Vietnam were also discussed. The Swiss delegation asked questions regarding the adaptation of national security laws in the context of the current reform of the justice system and expressed concern about several cases of detention. The two delegations exchanged information on these issues.
Concerning the situation in Switzerland, the Vietnamese delegation took a particular interest in Switzerland’s efforts to combat racism. It also asked questions about the use of force in the context of involuntary deportations.
The programme of this round of the human rights dialogue was supplemented with a visit to the bilingual canton of Fribourg. A meeting took place with representatives of the cantonal authorities and a visit to a bilingual upper secondary school. This provided the opportunity to discuss measures to encourage the participation of members of minority groups in public life and to promote their identity.
Address for enquiries
Press and Information Service
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
