Vietnam successfully defends first Country Report on UN Convention against Torture implementation

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The Vietnam's delegation, responsible for defending the Country Report on the implementation of the Convention against Torture to the UN Committee Against Torture in Geneva, included representatives from the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs; the Government Inspectorate, Office of the Government; the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuracy and the Permanent Delegation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the UN agencies in Geneva.

Deputy Minister Le Quy Vuong speaking at the report session.

On November 14-15, the delegation delivered and successfully defended Vietnam’s first Country Report on its implementation of the UN Convention against Torture.

Speaking to the UN Committee Against Torture, Deputy Minister Le Quy Vuong highlighted Vietnam's remarkable achievements in preventing torture, including the Government's efforts and achievements in implementing legislative, executive and judicial measures and other approaches to prevent and punish acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 

Noticeably, the Vietnamese Government has developed a project to popularize the contents of the Convention and the laws of Vietnam against torture to officials, public servants and people.

The activities have greatly contributed to raising the awareness and understanding of cadres, civil servants, officials and people on the contents of the Convention and relevant Vietnamese laws on torture prevention.

According to Deputy Minister Le Quy Vuong, the Ministry of Public Security, in particular, also implemented practical measures to prevent and punish acts of violation of the convention, especially those related to torture.

Deputy Minister Le Quy Vuong said Vietnam has continued cooperating actively with foreign partners in preventing and fighting acts of torture through the exchange of information and experience in the implementation of the Convention against Torture, as well as on the application of practical measures, means and equipment to prevent torture.

The Deputy Minister of Public Security emphasized that the country also actively participated in and organized international conferences and seminars on anti-torture, contributing to strengthening the capacity of Vietnamese officials, especially the police force, in the implementation of the Convention against Torture.

At the report session, the Vietnam's delegation also answered questions from members of the UN Committee Against Torture.

Members of the UN Committee Against Torture highly appreciated the Vietnam's report. They recommended Vietnam to continue efforts to improve its legal system on torture and invite delegations specializing in special procedures of the Human Rights Council to the country.

The Vietnamese Government's representatives appreciated and acknowledged the recommendations. On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Senior Lieutenant General Le Quy Vuong thanked the President and all members of the UN Committee Against Torture.

Senior Lieutenant General Le Quy Vuong reiterated that Vietnam highly commits itself to respecting and protecting human rights, and is making firm steps forward in preventing and penalizing acts of violation of human rights and torture, contributing to effectively implementing the Convention against Torture, in accordance with the conditions and reality of Vietnam.

Vietnam is one of the six member countries of the UN Convention against Torture to present its report to the United Nations Committee Against Torture during its 65th session, held from November 12 to December 7. 

The Committee against Torture brings together 10 independent experts to oversee the implementation of the convention by member states. The convention (also known as Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment) is one of the nine fundamental UN conventions on human rights. 

It was adopted on December 10, 1984 and became effective on June 26, 1987. Vietnam signed the convention on November 7, 2013 and ratified it on November 28, 2014. On March 17, 2015, it entered into force in the country.