Symposium reviews int’l human rights-related covenants in Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) – A symposium was held in Hanoi on January 5 to review 50 years of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and their implementation in Vietnam.

The event was held by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and the Government’s Steering Committee for Human Rights.

The covenants, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1966, along with the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are considered international codes of human rights and the cornerstone of international law on human rights. 

Participants at the symposium noted that Vietnam joined the two covenants on September 24, 1982 as it realised the importance of the international principles and standards stated in these documents although it had to deal with heavy war consequences at that time.

Since then, the Vietnamese Party and State have made efforts to implement the covenants. The country is fully aware of its responsibility and obligations in respecting, protecting and promoting human rights, considering them as a target and a driving force for social development.

For more than 30 years of realising its commitments, Vietnam has obtained a number of economic, social and cultural achievements. Many new regulations and principles on ensuring human rights have also been created and aligned with the current situation.

Participants said to improve the covenant implementation, it is necessary to continue internalising the Party’s viewpoints on human rights, perfecting a law-governed socialist nation, and overhauling the legal system. Notably, it is important to turn courts into a strong tool in protecting justice and human rights.

Communication activities, especially external information, along with international cooperation also need to be promoted to raise public awareness of human rights, they added.-VNA