US human rights report unfair: FM spokesman

The US State Department’s 2016 annual Human Rights report acknowledges some of Việt Nam’s achievements in protecting human rights, but makes biased statements that do not reflect the real situation in the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lê Hải Bình said yesterday.

The US State Department’s 2016 annual Human Rights report acknowledges some of Việt Nam’s achievements in protecting human rights, but makes biased statements that do not reflect the real situation in the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lê Hải Bình said yesterday.

HÀ NỘI — The US State Department’s 2016 annual Human Rights report acknowledges some of Việt Nam’s achievements in protecting human rights, but makes biased statements that do not reflect the real situation in the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lê Hải Bình said yesterday.

Responding to reporters’ wanting to know Việt Nam’s reaction to the report, he emphasised Việt Nam’s consistent policy of protecting and promoting the people’s fundamental rights.

Việt Nam’s efforts and achievements in ensuring and improving people’s fundamental rights over the past years have been internationally recognised and lauded, he noted.

“Việt Nam is always willing to discuss in a frank, open and constructive manner with all countries, including the US, any remaining differences,” he said.

The two countries have so far held 20 rounds of annual bilateral dialogue on human rights, he noted. — VNS