Clarifying related issues and practical implementation of the Convention against Torture

On November 28, in Ho Chi Minh City, the International Workshop "Introducing the Second National Report of Vietnam on the Implementation of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment" took place.

Làm rõ hơn các vấn đề liên quan và thực tiễn thực thi Công ước chống tra tấn

Major General Nguyen Van Ky, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, delivered the opening speech at the Workshop. (Source: Organizing Committee)

The workshop was organized on the basis of implementing the Project of the Ministry of Public Security approved by the Prime Minister on November 28, 2024 and organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Legislation and Administrative and Judicial Reform - Ministry of Public Security in coordination with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam.

The workshop was chaired by Major General Nguyen Van Ky, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Ngo Duc Thang, Deputy Director of the Department of Legislation and Administrative and Judicial Reform of the Ministry of Public Security. Attending the workshop were Ms. Sabina Stein, Assistant Resident Representative, Head of Administration and Engagement, UPDP in Vietnam; and 70 delegates from many central and local agencies.

The workshop was also attended by representatives of the Dutch Embassies in Hanoi.

Ms. Sabina Stein, Assistant Resident Representative, Head of UNDP Governance and Engagement Team, delivered the opening speech at the Workshop. (Source: Organizing Committee)

Speaking at the opening of the Workshop, Major General Nguyen Van Ky, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, informed that the Ministry has submitted Reports to the Convention Committee three times, of which the most recent Report is the second National Report on the implementation of the Convention against Torture and currently, Vietnam is waiting for the Committee to notify it about the presentation and defense of this Report.

According to Major General Nguyen Van Ky, the development and protection of the National Report is one of the important tasks, demonstrating Vietnam's responsibility and efforts in implementing its obligations as a member of the Convention against Torture.

However, promoting the dissemination and popularization of the content of the Second National Report and achievements in ensuring human rights in the implementation of the Convention against Torture is also very important, in order to help disseminate the content of the Convention and Vietnam's efforts in implementing the Convention.

The workshop took place in one day with 3 sessions: Overview of Vietnam's participation in the Convention against Torture and obligations to fulfill the responsibilities of a member state; Vietnam's legal framework on anti-torture; Implementation of the Convention against Torture, in which a representative of the Department of Legislation and Administrative and Judicial Reform of the Ministry of Public Security presented an overview of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Convention against Torture), the process of developing the second National Report on the implementation of the Convention and Vietnam's outstanding achievements in ensuring the right not to be tortured.

The Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security hopes that through this Workshop, the opinions of experts, agencies and organizations will be recorded to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the Convention.

Overview of the International Workshop “Introducing the Second National Report of Vietnam on the Implementation of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment”. (Source: Organizing Committee)

8 topics discussed at the Workshop of the Department of International Organizations - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of International Cooperation - Ministry of Justice, Supreme People's Court, Department of Police for temporary detention, temporary custody and execution of criminal sentences in the community, Department of Police for management of prisons, compulsory education facilities, reformatory schools - Ministry of Public Security, Supreme People's Procuracy, Hanoi Law University provided a lot of useful information on the implementation of the Convention against Torture in relevant ministries, branches and units, from education to raise awareness of the Convention, perfecting the law to effectively implement the Convention, measures to protect human rights in temporary detention, as well as issues related to litigation to ensure the right not to be tortured, the implementation of international commitments on human rights.

In addition, the question and answer session after the presentations was lively. The reporters also provided additional information to answer questions from delegates to clarify issues related to the Convention against Torture and the implementation of the Convention, and solutions that need to be focused on in the coming time.

In his closing remarks at the Workshop, the representative of the Department of Legislation and Administrative and Judicial Reform, Ministry of Public Security welcomed and highly appreciated the opinions of the delegates, affirming that the Ministry of Public Security had noted the opinions and suggestions of agencies, organizations and experts, and would organize research and absorb the opinions of the delegates at the Workshop to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the Convention as well as to prepare for the successful presentation and defense of Vietnam's Second National Report on the Convention against Torture at the Convention Committee in the coming time.