The Committee for Ethnic Minorities (CEM) and the EU Delegation in Vietnam has kicked off a workshop on international human rights standards focusing on ethnic minorities. The three-day event, being held in central Khanh Hoa Province under the umbrella of the EU-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue Facility program, aims to improve understanding of ethnic issues at the provincial and district levels. The event will also note Viet Nam's policy achievements in improving the rights of ethnic minority groups. Addressing the opening session, Deputy Minister-cum-CEM Vice Chairman Hoang Xuan Luong stressed Viet Nam's consistent policy to ensure human rights, including the rights of ethnic minorities. Ewa Chylinski, senior expert at the European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI), presented an overview of international treaties and laws enshrining human rights for ethnic minority groups, as well as the state of ethnic minority rights in the EU and ASEAN countries. Discussions at the seminar will also address Viet Nam's current policy platform for ethnic minority groups and a road map for ensuring ethnic minority rights in the future. Flagging upcoming efforts to promote human rights and the rights of ethnic minorities, Luong said the country was preparing to join three other UN conventions, as well as for the launch of the Government Plan of Action containing a strategy that will run until 2020. The National Assembly is also scheduled to complete a Law on Ethnic Affairs by 2020, the deputy minister added. The workshop drew over 60 representatives from relevant ministries and sectors and officials from five Central and Central Highlands provinces, including Phu Yen, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, and Khanh Hoa. (Vietnam News Oct 24)
