The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) were submitted to the National Assembly (NA) for ratification on October 23.

Speaking at the plenary session, President Truong Tan Sang said the CRPD was ratified by the UN General Assembly on December 13, 2006. Eight out of the 10 ASEAN member states have approved the convention, with Vietnam signing the document on October 22, 2007, but not ratifying it yet.

The ratification of the CRPD, the last step required for the country to officially become a party to the convention, is crucial at this point in time, since it would demonstrate Vietnam’s strong political commitment to protecting and promoting the interests of people with disabilities, he said. The President added that it would also create a basis for the country’s dialogues on human rights with other countries and international organisations.

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen said the ratification of the CRPD would help improve the legal framework on people with disabilities, enabling individuals to access better jobs and enhance their livelihoods.

She added that Vietnam’s laws are basically in line with the CRPD, but some legal regulations still need to be amended in order to fully implement the convention.

During the same session, President Truong Tan Sang submitted the CAT for ratification.

Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Relations Tran Van Hang said the ratification of the CAT is in accordance with Vietnam’s guidelines and policies, as well as the 2013 Constitution, noting that it is an important legal basis for the protection and implementation of human rights in the country.

Becoming an officially recognised party to the convention would act as a foundation for Vietnam to increase talks on human rights with other countries and international organisations, as well as engaging with the UN human rights bodies, he added.

The plenary meeting on October 23 was part of the 13th NA’s 8 th session, which commenced on October 20 and will last for 35 days, the longest session in this tenure so far./.