UNDP and the National Assembly observed Human Rights Day by discussing the first ever legal review of the new provisions in the 2013 Constitution in Ha Noi on December 10th 2014. The discussion also covered the international conventions on human rights to which Viet Nam is a party, as well as the role of the National Assembly in human rights promotion and protection.
This year’s theme, ‘Human Rights 365’, embraces the idea that every day is Human Rights Day and each individual, everywhere, at all times is entitled to the full range of Human Rights. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on “States to honor their obligation to protect human rights every day of the year” and “people to hold their governments to account”.
“The 2013 Constitution addresses human rights issues both extensively and intensively,” said Mr Ngô Đức Mạnh, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Foreign Affairs. “The legal review shows that there is the need to increase legislative work of the National Assembly, focusing on the considerations and assessments of the consistency of legal documents on human rights with the 2013 Constitution.”
The Committee conducted the legal review to provide NA members with the first ever comprehensive picture of international conventions that Viet Nam has signed and those it has ratified, and the gaps that need to be filled in order to further improve the laws concerning human rights and citizens’ rights in Viet Nam.
“This legal review will serve as a highly useful reference material for National Assembly members to review and adopt legislations in line with the human rights guarantees made in the 2013 Constitution and those emerging from Viet Nam’s response to the Universal Periodical Review,” said UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Pratibha Mehta.
The Universal Periodical Review (UPR) is the UN forum for member states to engage in interactive dialogues on achievements and challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights. The UPR provides a holistic view of a country’s progress in promoting, protecting and respecting human rights through engagement of various stakeholders in the process.
According to the UN Resident Coordinator, at the recent UPR review in 2014, Viet Nam has accepted many recommendations, including a stronger integration into the international human rights machinery; protecting and guaranteeing freedom of information, expression, and association; reducing the number of crimes subject to the death penalty; improving legal and judicial systems as well as a continued strong focus on vulnerable groups, gender equality, poverty reduction and access to basic services.
“The Government is now in the process of developing an Action Plan that outlines how the accepted UPR recommendations will be implemented. It will be important for the National Assembly to join the development of this Action Plan.” said Ms Pratibha Mehta. “Given the civil society’s specific expertise, wide ranging networks and linkages to the grassroots, the UPR Action Plan will therefore need to be an inclusive exercise that reaches beyond the realms of government ministries and also includes NA members and civil society organizations.”
During the discussion, information and knowledge of how other parliaments engage in the protection of human right through the UPR process were shared.
“Before the UPR, the National Assembly can inform the Government to engage in the UPR process through providing inputs, comments and suggestions on the draft report,” said UNDP human right specialist Constance Hybsier. “The National Assembly can also act as a bridge to civil society and advocate for a close involvement of civil society organizations, including the media, in the UPR process.”
