Challenges and opportunities to effectively implement the ICCPR

Proactively implementing commitments to the serious, consistent and comprehensive implementation of the policy of respecting and promoting human rights, Vietnam has planned tasks that need to be done to prepare for the implementation of its commitments, starting from 2020.

Deputy Minister of Justice Nguyen Khanh Ngoc - Head of the Vietnam Delegation at the dialogue with the UN Commission for Human Rights – said that the success of the Dialogue with the UN Commission for Human Rights recently in the 3rd National Report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) was based on Vietnam’s remarkable efforts, which was recognized internationally, for extensive and comprehensive reforms of law and administrative procedures to improve the quality of service for people, placing people at the center of policies and laws, creating favorable conditions for people to have a voice to contribute to the development of the country and enjoy equitably the fruits of socio-economic development of the country.

After the Dialogue, the Ministry of Justice presided over and coordinated with other ministries and sectors to report to the Prime Minister for promulgating Decision No. 1252/QD-TTg dated September 26, 2019 on the approval of the Plan for strengthening effective implementation of the ICCPR and the recommendations of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights (hereinafter referred to as the Plan for short), showing Vietnam's commitment and determination in seriously implementing the ICCPR and recommendations of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights n.

Decision No. 1252/QD-TTg was publicly posted on the Government Portal.

Specifically, Decision No. 252/QD-TTg sets out the main tasks and solutions, focusing on three groups of issues: firstly, continuing to internalize and complete the legal framework to implement the ICCPR; secondly, improving the effectiveness of the implementation of the provisions of the law on civil and political rights and; thirdly disseminating, educating and training on the contents of the Convention.

The opportunities brought about by extensive international integration, together with the judicial reform effort, have paved the way for Vietnam to have greater opportunities to effectively implement the ICCPR.

According to political experts, one of the biggest opportunities is that Vietnam has been on the right track and Vietnam's recent efforts have brought about positive and concrete results.

Challenges and opportunities

Vietnam successfully defended the National Report under the UPR 3rd Cycle at a dialogue with the UN Commission for Human Rights in mid-2019.

This does not mean that everything will be favorable or there will be no difficulties and challenges for Vietnam in implementing this Convention in the near future because human rights issues can be dissected, analyzed, evaluated and exploited from different angles, serving various purposes. It is always a challenge to understand this issue in the right context, circumstances and conditions of each country.

The international legal framework on human rights itself is always developing in line with the development of the international situation. Therefore, updating and improving understanding to keep up with the development of international law on human rights is a big challenge for Vietnam. The ICCPR has been in existence for 53 years without any amendments, but official comments and explanations on the provisions of the Convention of the UN Commission for Human Rights have made strong developments, accompanied by the increase in Vietnam's responsibilities and obligations.

Given Vietnam's development conditions, circumstances and levels, apart from the common difficulties and challenges as for other jobs, the challenges for Vietnam in implementing the Convention are presented in three main tasks stated in the Plan: the first is to continue building and perfecting the legal system; The second is to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement agency and the third is to improve the effectiveness of propaganda, education, and training on the ICCPR.

However, opportunities and challenges are intertwined and heavily dependent on the way we approach and solve problems.

Thu Thuy