(VOVWORLD) -Vietnam has carried on activities to increase the effectiveness of its membership in the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. Experts agreed to this fact at a consultation conference on national report for implementation of the Convention organized by the Ministry of Justice in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday.
 Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Khanh Ngoc addresses the conference
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Vietnam has consistently upheld the policy of being people-centered in socio-economic activities and considering people as the goal and the driving force for resilient social development.
Fine tuning laws on human rights
Since Vietnam joined the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights in 1982, it has worked to reform the legislative, executive, and judicial sectors and customize the Convention’s regulations to guarantee and promote human rights. New laws relating to human rights and civil rights have been issued or revised. The Constitution adopted in 2013 identifies the State’s responsibility to acknowledge, respect, protect, and guarantee human rights and civil rights, including the right to non-discrimination and equality before the law. The Criminal Code, Civil Law, Marriage and Family Law, Residence Law and others have been revised to give people more civil and political rights and ensure conditions for people to exercise their rights.
Engagement in international standards
Vietnam has joined 6 key international conventions on human rights: the Convention on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Vietnam is a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) to ensure the rights of laborers.
Vietnam has actively and responsibly implemented international commitments such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council. Vietnam has carefully prepared the UPR national report in consultation with ministries, sectors, political and social organizations, UN agencies, and NGOs in Vietnam, and has implemented the recommendations it agrees with.
Ensuring human rights
Vietnam is contemplating signing other conventions on human rights. It will contribute to multi-lateral forums on human rights sponsored by the UN and the ASEAN community.