Vietnam was elected on November 12 one of 14 new members of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2014-16 tenure, with the highest number of votes among the elected candidates.

Vietnam’s selection for the position showed that the country had won high confidence from UN member states, Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said.

Such selection also expressed the international community’s acknowledgement and appreciation of Vietnam’s current policies and achievements in its comprehensive renewal process, including the building of a law-ruled state that better guarantees citizens’ rights, he said.

Minh noted that running for a seat in the UNHRC was an important step for Vietnam on its road to achieving its foreign policy goals of being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community.

During the next three years, as a UNHRC member, Vietnam will make contributions to the common affairs of the council.

The Government will continue following its domestic policy on human rights while performing its tasks and commitments of a member of the UNHRC and the UN.

“We will let the world know the reality of respecting and guaranteeing human rights in political, economic, social, cultural and civil issues in Vietnam,” Minh said.-