Vietnam plans to ratify the 1984 United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT).
This was announced by Major General Nguyen Ngoc Anh, Director of the Ministry of Public Security’s Legal Department at an international workshop on the convention on June 6 in Hanoi.
“We expected to complete preparations by the end of this year, depending on the practical situation to pave the way for ratification,” Anh said.
The country also had a road map to revise relevant laws including the 1999 Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, or elaborate a law on organization of criminal investigation bodies and a law on custody and detention.
Anh said this would focus on training for law enforcement forces to improve their awareness of criminal prosecutions, including detention, investigation, prosecution and judgment.
He added that regulations covering compensation for victims of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment would be reviewed and improved.
Pratibha Mehta, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, said that ratifying and implementing a human rights convention required a well prepared and inclusive national effort.
“Specifically, the Convention against Torture will require a strong interaction between different institutions, including the police, other public security agencies, the Supreme People’s Procuracy, the Supreme People’s Court, and central and provincial government authorities,” she said.-
