Nghe An issues plan to strengthen effective implementation of the Convention against Torture

Accordingly, implementing Decision No. 87/QD-TTg dated February 16, 2023 of the Prime Minister approving the Plan to strengthen the effective implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (referred to as the CAT Convention) and the appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture, the Provincial People's Committee requests:

- Seriously implement the objectives, tasks and solutions in the Plan approved by the Prime Minister. Continue to effectively implement the provisions of the 2013 Constitution, relevant legal provisions and the contents of the National Plan on implementing the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Vietnam joined the signing of the Convention against Torture on November 7, 2013. Illustrative photo

- Clearly define the content of work and implementation roadmap in enhancing the effectiveness of implementing the provisions of the CAT Convention and appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture. Thereby, contributing to improving people's enjoyment of health and physical rights, especially not being tortured or subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment, in accordance with the Constitution, laws and socio-economic conditions of Vietnam; ensuring foreign and domestic requirements, ensuring national security, social order and safety.

- Raise awareness, roles, responsibilities, assign specific tasks to departments, branches, localities and enhance the effectiveness of coordination between agencies in the process of implementing the CAT Convention and appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture, ensuring timely and effective implementation of Vietnam's CAT Convention implementation plans and appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture.

- Strengthen international cooperation in preventing and combating torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, especially cooperation with competent authorities of member states of the Convention and with United Nations agencies in promoting and disseminating the contents of the CAT Convention and appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture.

The organization and implementation of the Plan must ensure consistency with the Party's viewpoints, policies and guidelines and the State's policies and laws on human rights work; consistent with the provisions of the 2013 Constitution and Chapter VIII of the 2016 Law on International Treaties; closely follow political and diplomatic requirements and the task of preventing and combating torture or other forms of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment.

The assigned departments, agencies and localities must develop specific plans and programs and organize their implementation on schedule, ensuring efficiency and quality. The organization of the implementation of the CAT Convention and the appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture must be consistent with the functions, tasks and powers of the departments, agencies and localities.

To implement these requirements, the Provincial People's Committee assigned relevant departments, branches and localities to carry out the following key contents:

- Develop and promulgate plans and documents directing, guiding, and coordinating the implementation of Decision No. 87/QD-TTg dated February 16, 2023 of the Prime Minister in Nghe An province; organize inspection, evaluation, interim and final review of the implementation in Nghe An province.

- Organize a review of legal regulations related to the prevention and combat of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment to advise and propose competent authorities to amend, supplement, replace or issue new legal documents accordingly, contributing to gradually perfecting the law to increase compatibility with the provisions of the CAT Convention. In particular, organize research and give comments on the possibility of developing a definition of torture according to Article 1 of the Convention and a separate crime of torture in the Penal Code; on the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution for the crime of torture regardless of the time of committing the crime.

- Continue to improve the effectiveness of enforcement of legal provisions against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture.

- Continue to strengthen propaganda, dissemination, education and training on the CAT Convention and Vietnamese laws on preventing and combating torture, on Vietnam's efforts and achievements in implementing the CAT Convention and appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture.

- Expand international cooperation activities to effectively implement the CAT Convention and appropriate recommendations of the Committee against Torture; continue to review and propose solutions to improve the effectiveness of international cooperation activities on preventing and combating torture that have been and are being implemented.

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is one of the international and regional human rights instruments, under the review of the United Nations, aimed at preventing torture worldwide. The Convention against Torture was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1984 and entered into force on June 26, 1987. The Convention against Torture is one of the nine basic international human rights conventions of the United Nations.

On November 7, 2013, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam signed the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. On November 28, 2014, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam ratified the Convention against Torture.