Relations between Vietnam and the US in the field of human rights

9/11/14



In the reform era in Vietnam, it can be said that the human rights has been respected and ensured better and better, that is the consistent policy for development of our Party and State. The human rights has been confirmed as a strategic tasks of Vietnam's revolution in the new era. It was recognized in the 11th Congress documents: "Man is the center of development strategies, and the object of development also. To respect and protect human rights, to attach human rights with the rights and interests of the nation, the country and the ownership of the people ". In particular, the  2013 Constitution has a separate chapter on "Human Rights, the rights and obligations of citizens", in which the basic principles of human rights and specific rights in international conventions on human rights are all "recognized, respected and guaranteed".
However, in recent days, after the normal event, Nguyen Van Hai (Dieu Cay blogger) is permitted to flight to the US (Oct 21st 2014) for humanitarian reasons (previously, January 4th 2014, Cu Huy Ha Vu also exited to the US for medical treatment), on many websites, it has been much speculation about US-Vietnam relations. Unfortunately, some people also said that both the US and Vietnam have both set "the conditions" for the other to expand and develop the existing relations between the two countries. For example, it is said that Vietnam had "changed strategy" after the United States eased the ban on lethal arms sales to Vietnam during the trip to US of the Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh, and therefore Vietnam releases Dieu Cay blogger. In other words, they said only when Vietnam get the US’s commitments made, Vietnam will be little easy on human rights issue!
It cannot be denied that the relationship between Vietnam and the United States is different from other relationships between Vietnam and other countries that have been had partnership and friendship with Vietnam. The United States and Vietnam had the long history of grief, which caused by the side of sowing the war the US. However, both the United States and Vietnam now have the same opinion, "close the past, look forward", as politicians and diplomats said: "We can not change the past. But w can change the future by working together, "or" We can not change the past, we can work together for the future "...
After 20 years since the end of the war, the US President Clinton formally declared the normalization of diplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam on July 11th 1995; in May 2000 two countries signed a bilateral trade agreement and then in November 2007 the United States approved the Regulations Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) for Vietnam. In particular, during the visit of President Truong Tan Sang to United States (July 2013), heads of the two countries President Truong Tan Sang and President Barak Obama had affirmed to strengthen cooperation for the development of each country, for peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. On this occasion, the two leaders had decided to establish a comprehensive Partnership Vietnam-US based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter, international law, respect for political institutions, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other.
As we all know, the relationships Vietnam-US has been affected by a variety of factors, which includes not only the historical problems but also the differences in political institutions, lifestyle, culture, in which there are differences of opinions and the law in the field of human rights. This is very normal in diplomatic relations, for examble, while the European Union have abolished the death penalty, while the United States and Vietnam have not. Because there have been differences so the two countries need to have a certain process to share their views and to minimize the distance of difference. The United States announcement of lifting the ban on lethal arms sales to Vietnam is a natural step in the process normalization of relations between the two countries.
Vietnam is a sovereign country and equal to all countries, irrespective of large or small, developed or developing, Vietnam also have its own Constitution and laws. In Vietnam, the arrest, investigation, prosecution, adjudication and enforcement of imprisonment someone are all based on the law of Vietnam. That also means that Vietnam consider process improvement and health status and any recommendations to mitigate foreign sentence or give early release for people who are serving a prison is normal and not in violation of international conventions on human rights nor violated commitments with other nations, including the United States. The relationship Partner comprehensive Vietnam-US based not only on the United Nations Charter, international law, but also on respect for political institutions, independence and sovereignty of each. In the coming time, Vietnam will continue to respect and ensure human rights better and better. This is completely natural.
The 20th century had showed the highest principle of cooperation among nations is the consistency and appropriate benefits between countries. And the Vietnam-US cooperative relationship is not out of the principles. The United States partially lifted the ban on arms sales to Vietnam not only bring benefits to Vietnam, but also for the United States. For Vietnam, this move could contributes to the protection of the independence, territorial integrity, help us protect the peaceful environment to build the country. As for the US, this will help them to "rebalance" strategy in Asia-Pacific, for the sake of economics, and security of the United States.
According to political analysts, Vietnam has a very important position in Southeast Asia. Especially, East Sea are at the crossroads, the bridge between mainland Southeast Asia and maritime Southeast Asia, and Vietnam as well as is connection point between Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia. Thus, for the political strategy to shifts focus to Asia-Pacific, the US obviously has to spends special attention to Vietnam and ASEAN countries. Therefore, it’s childish to think that the exit of Nguyen Van Hai to the US, or Vietnam has nothing to cooperate with the United States outside of the prisoners 'conscience' as "items" in exchange. Moreover this is hindering and undermining the development of comprehensive cooperative relationship between the two countries, hindering the development of Vietnamese people./.
 


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All comments [ 10 ]


For A Peace World 9/11/14 16:28

Despite some differences after 19 years of normalized ties, Vietnam-US cooperation has expanded in economics, education, science, national defense, security and external affairs.

Vietnam Love 9/11/14 16:29

I do believe that in the future, the active partnership, friendship, multifaceted co-operation and mutual understanding between the two countries will grow

Voice of people 9/11/14 16:31

The development of the Vietnam-US relationship will require the people of two countries to make greater efforts, especially to more understand each other.

Socialist Society 9/11/14 16:31

A number of cooperation programs between Vietnam and the US will be implemented at a higher level

yobro yobro 9/11/14 16:36

The Vietnamese and US armies will boost cooperation in overcoming war consequences, search and rescue, disaster relief, training and law enforcement at sea.

Me Too! 9/11/14 16:38

The US is always considering about the human rights issues of the other countries and avoiding its own problems.

John Smith 9/11/14 16:39

The two sides will continuously intensify their collaboration for peace and stability in the region and the world at large.

Gentle Moon 9/11/14 16:41

There are a lot of people who are dreaming about American dream, in which they're rich and powerful and have rights to teach the others about democracy.So childish.LOL

LawrenceSamuels 9/11/14 16:45

The easing of the ban in place since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 will only apply to maritime equipment and comes amid warming ties and as Vietnam makes "modest" improvements to human rights.

Red Star 9/11/14 16:48

I think the most important thing is not the lift of the ban on arms sale or human rights, it's benefit the US can get from selling weapons to Vietnam and the world at large.

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