The UN Human Rights Committee held a session on March 11-12 in Geneva, Switzerland to review Vietnam’s third national report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Khanh Ngoc (C)

The 20-strong Vietnamese delegation to the event was led by Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Khanh Ngoc.

The delegation’s participation in the session demonstrated Vietnam’s seriousness in fulfilling its obligation of reporting its enforcement of international commitments.

Dialogue at the session is expected to help members of the UN Human Rights Committee understand more about the Vietnamese Government’s commitments, the country’s achievements as well as challenges and difficulties facing it in promoting and projecting human rights.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Ngoc granted an interview to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Geneva about new progresses and remarkable achievements that Vietnam has made in promoting and protecting human rights, including civil and political rights since the second national report was submitted to the committee in 2002.

Acquiring the committee’s recommendations, Vietnam has paid great attention to law making, with many important laws related to civil and political rights promulgated or revised. Notably, the 2013 Constitution marked a breakthrough in awareness of human rights and the responsibility of the State, organisations and individuals in recognizing, respecting, protecting and ensuring human rights and citizen’s rights in all fields.

Subsequently, many legal documents have been issued to institutionalize the 2013 Constitution, which have recognised most civil and political rights, while mechanisms to ensure and promote those rights have step by step been enforced. The effect of those moves can be seen clearly in reality, such as the harmonious co-existence of various religions in the country with mutual respect and non-discrimination. The press in Vietnam has also enjoyed unceasingly development, serving as the forum for social organisations and the people as well as a tool to safeguard the rights of the people and society. The litigation process has been improved towards increasing transparency with respect for and protection of human rights. 

The deputy justice minister stressed that the improvements in both law making and enforcement are important legal factors to ensure that every one has opportunities and favourable conditions to exercise their human rights.

Regarding the working session with the UN Human Rights Committee, Ngoc shared that the inter-sectoral delegation had informed the committee member of Vietnam’s achievements and rejected inaccurate information of several organisations and individuals about this issue.

The UN committee had appreciated the delegation’s participation and dialogue in the session, he stated, adding that they had also recognised the encouraging results made by Vietnam in implementing the ICCPR. 

According to him, like other developing countries, Vietnam is facing a lot of difficulties in implementing the ICCPR such as limited capacity of law making and enforcement, a lack of resources for social welfare and development, and the impact of global issues and non-traditional security challenges.

Therefore, the country hopes for continued cooperation from the UN committee. It will also work out a specific plan to implement the committee’s recommendations, with the priority given to continuing to build a law-ruled Sate, intensifying law and judicial reform and effectively implementing legal regulations, he added.-VNA