United Nations Expert on Minority Issues Gay McDougall on Thursday wrapped up her ten-day visit to Việt Nam at the invitation of the Vietnamese Government.

During her stay in Việt Nam, she met with Deputy PM, FM Phạm Gia Khiêm, representatives of State bodies and socio-political organizations, including religious ones, academic institutes, Vietnamese people, international non-Governmental organizations, and sponsors. She also visited the provinces of Điện Biên, Trà Vinh, Gia Lai, and Kon Tum.  

Mrs. Gay McDougall said that she had a deep impression on Việt Nam as one of multi-ethnic and multi-religion countries.

She praised the Vietnamese Government’s efforts to make policies on ethnic minorities and consider the implementation of these policies as one of its top priorities.

The UN official highly appreciated the establishment of bodies fully in charge of minority issues and the enforcement of related specific programs.

Mrs. Gay McDougall also spoke highly of the country’s socio-economic achievements, realization of the Millennium Goals, and poverty reduction.

The Government pays adequate attention to specific issues, including the preservation of culture and languages, and education promotion, so that ethnic minorities can better benefit from their rights and effectively engage in all social aspects, the UN expert commented.

During her fact-finding tour, she noted that the living standard of ethnic people has changed dramatically during the past years. 

Mrs. Gay McDougall shared her ideas on how to better protect the rights of ethnic minorities in Việt Nam.

Vietnamese competent agencies have provided the UN official with concerned comprehensive information and confirmed their readiness to cooperate with the UN in the field in line with Việt Nam’s consistent policy to secure and promote human rights, including those of ethnic minorities.

(Source: VGP)