Vietnam working to improve efficiency of law implementation on human rights: Expert

Speaking at a meeting on human rights work on October 24, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Tuong Duy Kien, Director of the Institute for Human Rights under the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said that in its 13th tenure, the National Assembly adopted the 2013 Constitution, which is considered a pinnacle in constitutional activities for the protection of human rights. To concretise the constitutional principles, during the 2016–2021 term alone, the legislature and its Standing Committee enacted 72 laws, two ordinances, and numerous resolutions containing relevant legal provisions.

Among these, there are laws that play significant roles in the legal system, including new laws and policies that are introduced for the first time, have a substantial and comprehensive impact on socio-economic life, and respond to practical demands in a timely way.

However, alongside the results, the legal system, particularly those regarding human rights, still shows various limitations, he said, noting the 13th National Party Congress pointed out that the legal system has some provisions that are not consistent and do not meet practical requirements in a timely fashion. Compliance with the law is generally not strict; discipline and rule of law often overlooked, violations not addressed promptly, and sanctions not sufficiently deterrent. Administrative and judicial reforms have not fully met the demands of national development.

According to the expert, no matter how comprehensive the Constitution and laws may be, if they are not strictly enforced, the Party and State's sound policies and guidelines on human rights will not come into reality.

Therefore, upholding the rule of law and strengthening legal discipline in implementing the Constitution and laws on human rights is an urgent requirement at present, Kien said, stressing the need to shift the strategic directive focus from prioritising the building and perfection of laws to improving and organising the enforcement of laws, ensuring a seamless and close connection between law-making and law implementation.

Accordingly, the competent authorities need to regularly review legal documents to identify and eliminate those that conflict with the provisions on human rights outlined in the Constitution and laws, while enhancing efforts in communications, dissemination, and education of laws concerning human rights, he stated.

The orientation towards 2030, with a vision for 2045, should concentrate on building and perfecting laws that ensure the implementation of civil and political rights, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights, including the rights of vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and the poor.

In addition, it is essential to strengthen the organisation and apparatus for law implementation, clearly define the powers and responsibilities of state agencies in protecting human rights, enhance the role of lawyers and develop a comprehensive range of legal services to improve citizens' access to justice and legal information regarding human rights, and increase the effectiveness of state management in international cooperation on legal and judicial matters, added the expert./.