(VOVWORLD) - One of the greatest inventions in human history is the internet and cyberspace. This innovation brings huge benefitsto people's lives. Vietnam, like other countries, has passed laws to protectbasic human rights and freedom on the internet, improve people’s access to cyberspace,and minimize the internet’s negative effects. Theselaws are consistent with the international conventions on human rights that Vietnam has signed.
Vietnam has an estimated 60 million internet users, about 60% of the population, Only six other countries have a higher rate of internet use. In 1982, Vietnam joined the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which recognize the rights stipulated in the International Human Rights Law, including the right to freedom of information, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech.
Respecting, protecting, ensuring, and expanding the exercise of those rights and freedoms on the internet reflects Vietnam's commitment to the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development, which Vietnam and 200 other countries adopted in 2015.
The right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly were stipulated in Vietnam’s 1946 Constitution and each Constitution since then. The right to freedom of expression and access to information were recognized and protected in the 2013 Constitution, the 2016 Law on Access to Information, the 2018 Law on Cybersecurity, and other laws. Article 25 of the 2013 Constitution says: “Citizens have the right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, access to information, meetings, associations, and demonstrations”. The 2016 Law on Access to Information specifies the right to access information, the responsibilities of providing information, the procedures for requesting access to information, and the scope of information to be accessed."
The Law on Access to Information has important legal significance and value in the exercise of rights and freedom of internet, publicity, and transparency and the responsibility of state agencies, organizations, and individuals. The 2018 Law on Cybersecurity is an effective tool to protect internet rights and freedoms through measures to prevent, detect, stop, and handle violations in the telecommunications and internet sectors.
The Law on Cybersecurity combines the task of protecting network security and information systems which are important to national security and the task of socio-economic development, ensuring human and citizen rights, and creating conditions for organizations and individuals to operate in cyberspace. This principle is an important legal basis for the establishment of a mechanism to guarantee internet rights and freedoms. Upholding the State's responsibility in protecting privacy and other rights in cyberspace is also stipulated in the Law on Cybersecurity.
Vietnam has been moving towards a more comprehensive and complete legal system for internet rights and freedom. The legal framework for internet rights and freedoms will focus more on protecting the honor, dignity, and interests of individuals, as well as privacy and the right to use the internet. A number of rights related to internet freedom will also be defined appropriately, and fully, which include people's right to access and use information, the State’s responsibility to provide information, and citizens’ right to democracy, right to privacy, and right to complain, denounce, express opinions, and participate in state management.
Cyberspace and the challenges of Industry 4.0 require a competent legal system to ensure the right to internet freedom. Therefore, Vietnam is focused on ensuring a legal environment for the internet that ensures human rights and freedom