Vietnam has affirmed its policy of ensuring, protecting and promoting the legitimate rights of ethnic minority groups in all aspects, based on the principle of equality and solidarity for the common progress of all ethnic communities. Speaking at a dialogue with independent experts on ethnic minority issues during the ongoing 25th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Vietnamese representative stressed that the country's law and policy system is built to guarantee that the needs of ethnic groups are considered in all socio-economic development policies. Since 2006, as many as 160 legal documents have been issued in this manner, the representative noted, adding that Vietnam’s strategy on minority groups until 2020 has been approved and implemented with the aim of narrowing the development gap among ethnic minority communities based on sustainable development and the promotion of cultural values. At the same time, Vietnam has paid special attention to the preservation and development of the cultural values and languages of ethnic minority groups, especially through education. At a meeting on the rights of people with disabilities, Vietnam hailed UN agencies as well as the international community for their support of the disabled in equally participating in and enjoying their rights, especially to education. (Vietnam News Mar 21)
