International workshop on UN convention against torture

An international workshop seminar was held in Ho Chi Minh City on December 8 to discuss issues related to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).

The event, jointly organised by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), provided participants with an overall view of the CAT in order to raising public awareness of existing legal documents and mechanisms to prevent and protect people from all forms of torture.

(Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)

Vu Quang Anh, head of the ministry’s Department of International Organisations, said the National Assembly’s approval of the convention on November 28 shows Vietnam’s respect for its international commitments, particularly in human rights, as well as the country’s strong determination against torture and other cruel treatment.

The ratification also shows Vietnam’s consistent policy on respecting, protecting and promoting human rights in line with international practice, and affirmed the country’s active and responsible participation in issues of international concerns, he added.

Pham Minh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration (HCMA) Region II, said Vietnam’s legal system consists of rather sufficient regulations on the protection of the rights of persons held in custody and prisoners in accordance with the CAT.

However, he said, there remained incompatibilities relating to torture and extortion. Tuan suggested amending Article 298 of the Criminal Code, and stressed the need to better the law on the State’s responsibility for compensation.

He called for the involvement of society, the National Assembly and the people’s councils in supervising the implementation of law.

The UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is one of the important multilateral international treaties on human rights, aiming to eradicate cruel and inhumane treatment and punishment. It was approved by the UN resolution No. 39/46 in 1984 and took effect from June 26, 1987.