Human rights cannot be exploited.

Under the guise of "refugee relief," the terrorist organization "Boat People Rescue Committee" (BPSOS) has recently continued to clearly reveal its true nature of politicizing humanitarian activities, exploiting the pretext of human rights to interfere with and exert pressure on Vietnam. It is necessary to identify and resolutely combat and refute these new tricks and old tactics based on theory and practice, in order to contribute to the firm protection of Vietnam.national prestige and objective facts about the human rights situation in Vietnam.

Recently, BPSOS, run by Nguyen Dinh Thang, drafted and disseminated a so-called "petition" to the US State Department, accusing Vietnam of human rights violations, calling for sanctions, and placing Vietnam on the list of "Countries of Particular Concern regarding religious freedom" (CPC). Nguyen Dinh Thang boasted that he had mobilized 18 international organizations and 30 individuals to sign the "petition." This is a "familiar scenario" repeated by some extremist organizations and individuals overseas, including BPSOS, for many years, with increased frequency during important political events in the country such as elections, Party congresses, or major holidays.

It is clear that Nguyen Dinh Thang's boasting about mobilizing several organizations and individuals to sign a "petition" is essentially a tactic to create "false legitimacy," aiming to deceive international public opinion. In reality, many experts in international relations and human rights have pointed out that such petitions often lack verifiable basis, relying on biased or even distorted information. Dr. Carlyle A. Thayer, a Vietnam studies expert at the Australian Defence College, University of New South Wales, once stated that accusations of human rights abuses against Vietnam from some exiled organizations do not fully reflect the historical, cultural, and developmental context of Vietnam, and therefore lack objectivity and scientific rigor.

According to official records, BPSOS has ties to the Montagnards for Justice (MSFJ) organization – which was added to the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security's terrorist list following a serious incident in Dak Lak in June 2023. This connection shows that exploiting the pretext of "human rights" to cover up and abet subversive activities, even those involving violence and terrorism, is no longer a matter of opinion or perception, but a serious violation of the law, threatening social security and order.

However, it must be clearly recognized that all distorted narratives, no matter how they are disguised, cannot deny Vietnam's achievements in guaranteeing and promoting human rights.

As early as 1919, in Versailles (1919-1920), France, Nguyen Ai Quoc, on behalf of the Vietnamese people, put forward the "Demands of the Annamite People," which directly addressed fundamental freedoms and democratic rights. This ideology was further institutionalized in the 1945 Declaration of Independence and the 1946 Constitution – the first constitution of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, clearly affirming the principle: All power belongs to the people, without distinction of class, religion, or gender.

Throughout history, from the struggle for national liberation to the building and protection of the Fatherland, the consistent viewpoint of the Vietnamese Party and State has been to place people at the center of all development policies.

The documents of the 14th National Congress on the protection and implementation of human rights reflect the consistent policy of our Party, which is: All policies and guidelines of the Party and the State must truly stem from the needs, aspirations, legitimate rights and interests of the people; taking respect for, guaranteeing, and protecting human rights, civil rights, happiness and satisfaction of the people as the measure and goal to strive for.

The practical experience of over 40 years of reform has provided vivid and convincing evidence: Vietnam, from a poor country heavily devastated by war, has risen to become a middle-income country with stable economic growth and continuously improving living standards for its people.

According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Vietnam's Human Development Index (HDI) has continuously increased, reaching 0.766, placing it among countries with a high level of human development. The 2025 World Happiness Report also ranks Vietnam 46th out of 143 countries, a significant improvement compared to previous years.

In particular, Vietnam's election as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term and its re-election for the 2026-2028 term with a high number of votes (180/190) is clear evidence of the international community's trust.

This is not only an acknowledgment of domestic efforts, but also an assessment of Vietnam's role, responsibilities, and positive contributions in promoting human rights initiatives at the regional and global levels.

In the legal field, the 2013 Constitution and related laws have increasingly concretized civil, political, economic, cultural, and social rights; and at the same time established more effective mechanisms for protecting these rights.

National target programs on sustainable poverty reduction, new rural development, social security, healthcare, education, etc., all aim to improve the quality of life for the people, ensuring that no one is left behind.

From an international perspective, Vietnam is an active member of most fundamental international conventions on human rights, and seriously fulfills its periodic reporting obligations and participates in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism. Vietnam responsibly adopts and implements relevant recommendations in accordance with the country's practical conditions.

The arguments in the so-called "petition" by Nguyen Dinh Thang and BPSOS not only lack practical basis but also run counter to the current trend of cooperation and constructive dialogue on human rights worldwide. Exploiting the human rights issue to exert political pressure is not only ineffective but also undermines trust and hinders cooperative relations between nations.

In the context of deep international integration, Vietnam has always advocated for open dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

All differing issues should be discussed frankly, based on understanding and respect for the unique characteristics of each country. This is also a principle affirmed in the United Nations Charter and international norms. Identifying and exposing the distorting tactics of BPSOS is not only an immediate requirement but also a long-term task in protecting the ideological foundation of the Party, strengthening trust, enhancing social consensus, and affirming Vietnam's position in the international arena.