It is time for Vietnam to walk the talk on trans rights and it is time to promulgate the legal framework that will actually implement and enforce the relevant Civil Code article, which is still under development. This is the key message in an op-ed from Sweden’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Ann Måwe, and Ms. Rana Flowers, United Nations Resident Coordinator ad interim in Vietnam as the Co-chairs of the informal Group of Ambassadors and Heads of Agencies on Gender Policy Coordination.
“Vietnam’s move to enshrine the rights of transgender people to be recognized under the 2015 Civil Code marked a significant step forwards. But the legislation to implement the relevant provisions and secure those rights in practice is still pending. The draft law currently underway must take into account the experienced reality of the estimated 290,000-480,000 people who identify as transgender in the country,“ the pair stated.
Sharing the op-ed in connection with Human Rights Day on 10 December, in a post Ambassador Ann Måwe also highlighted that human rights are at the core of Sweden’s foreign policy.
“Adherence to international human rights law and standards are the responsibility of all States. Human rights are not optional extras but a prerequisite for peace, security, and development,” the Ambassador said.
Moreover, the Ambassador stated:
Today, 10 December is International Human Rights day. 73 years ago, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. The first article of the declaration says it clearly: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. Human rights are universal, indivisible, and mutually reinforcing. This does of course also include the rights of LGBTIQ individuals – in Viet Nam, in Sweden, and around the world.
Read the op-ed here
