Media release

26 August 2008

Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue

The sixth round of the Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue will take place today in Canberra.

The dialogue, first held in 2002, demonstrates the maturity of the relationship and provides Australia and Vietnam with an opportunity for frank and constructive discussion about human rights issues.

Prior to the commencement of the dialogue, I will meet with Mr Le Hoai Trung, who is leading the Vietnamese delegation. Mr Trung is a Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and led the Vietnamese delegation at the Hanoi dialogue in April 2007.

Topics for discussion at the dialogue include national approaches to human rights and developments since the fifth round of the dialogue in Hanoi in April 2007; ethnic minorities and indigenous issues; freedom of expression and association; criminal justice and judicial reforms; and freedom of religion and belief.

An important element of the dialogue process is the Australia-Vietnam Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program. Since its inception in 2006, the Program has helped develop practical strategies to promote human rights in Vietnam; match the human rights priorities of Vietnamese agencies with relevant experience and expertise; and improve links between Vietnamese and Australian institutions in the field of human rights. Phase II of the Program is expected to start in September.

The Vietnamese Government’s progress toward stronger human rights practices in recent years is welcome and assists both Governments in continuing an ongoing dialogue on these matters.

The Vietnamese delegation to the sixth Human Rights Dialogue will also undertake a study tour to engage first-hand with Australian human rights experts and institutions.

The Australian delegation will be led by Mr Michael Potts, First Assistant Secretary of DFAT's International Organisations and Legal Division, and will include the Hon John von Doussa QC, President of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Ms Kerry Rae MP, Chair of the Human Rights Sub-Committee, a representative from the Opposition, as well as officers from relevant Australian Government departments.

I visited Vietnam on 1-2 July as part of the Australia and Vietnam celebration of the 35^th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations by the Whitlam Government.

During the visit, I discussed the value the Australian Government places on cooperation in human rights, including our opposition to capital punishment.

In discussions I reaffirmed with both Prime Minister Dung and Foreign Minister Khiem that human rights issues continue to be an integral part of the broader Australia-Vietnam relationship.

Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555