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Mr. President,

I thank the Belgian Presidency for organising the open debate on this important topic. I also thank Mrs. Michelle Bachelet, Mr. Francisco de Roux and Mrs. Yasmin Sooka for their briefings and interventions.

My Delegation aligns itself with the Statement to be delivered by the Representative of Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

And I extend the warmest welcome to the Foreign Ministers of Niger, Guatemala, Spain and the Deputy Foreign Minister of Estonia for being here with us.

Mr. President,

At the international level, justice plays an extremely important role in relations among states and has solidified its place in international law, including the Charter of the United Nations itself.

Similarly, at the national level, in conflict and post-conflict situations, transitional justice can play an impactful role in national reconciliation and development. 

The United Nations in general and the Security Council in particular have attached vital importance to promoting justice and the rule of law and post-conflict national reconciliation, as well as preventing a return to conflict in the future. Over the time, the Security Council has used all of its tools to address transitional justice in conflict and post-conflict context.

I would like to share the following points:

1. First, justice shall be served and justice shall serve. It can be an immediate result, but it also is a means to a long-term goal that is sustainable national unity and development.

All efforts to promote transitional justice and post-conflict peace-building need to always keep the long term goal in consideration, including addressing the root causes of conflict.

While the past is heavy and difficult, focusing on a future that is sustainable, peaceful and prosperous maybe the way forwards. We owe it to our future generations to make the right choice.

2. Second, transitional justice need to be nationally owned and nationally led.

As transitional justice reflects "a society's attempts to come to terms with a legacy of large-scale past abuses", it needs to be society-based and play a harmonious role with other attempts to heal the society.

As such, the state concerned should have the primary responsibility for its own transitional justice, reconciliation and future.

Here I would like to pick one point in the Secretary-General report and reflected in the statement of Mrs. Michele Bachellet that "transitional justice, […,] cannot be imported or imposed from outside". In other words, a nationally-led and nationally-owned process in the only way and there is no "one-size-fits-all" model.

3. Third, international assistance is crucial and can be most effective if based on national needs, particularities and capacities.

The international community should focus on helping build up and strengthen national institutions and mechanisms in accordance with national conditions. Training, knowledge and experience sharing are most useful in most situations. As it is transitional, a smooth transition should be the benchmark of international assistance, especially the UN missions.

4. Fourth, the development and implementation of processes and mechanisms of transitional justice need to take into account their impact on and active role of women, youth, children and other vulnerable groups in peace-building processes.

5. Fifth, regional arrangements can play a constructive role in assisting peace and reconciliation processes, in accordance with the above points and the principles of international law. 

As the central mechanism for peace, security and stability in Southeast Asia, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has established the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation and other mechanisms for conducting activities on capacity-building, experience sharing on reconciliation, peace-building and the promotion of the role of women and children. 

In conclusion, Mr. President, based on Viet Nam's own experience, we always speak with candor and are sympathetic with countries and peoples who are going through difficult phases of conflict and post-conflict peace-building. They can count on our continued support inside and outside the Council.

I thank you for your attention./. 

New York, 13/1/2020.​