Since ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Viet Nam has submitted three reports to the Human Rights Committee describing how it has implemented the Covenant, in 1989, 2001 and 2017. Civil society organisations and other stakeholders have also made submissions to inform the reviews undertaken by the Committee. Based on these documents and a constructive dialogue between the Human Rights Committee and the Government in Viet Nam, the Committee then issued Concluding Observations with recommendations on steps (e.g. administrative, judicial, legislative, etc) Viet Nam should take to improve its compliance with the ICCPR.

In 2019, the Human Rights Committee issued its Concluding Observations in Viet Nam’s third periodic review. It welcomed progress, such as legislative reforms in relation to trafficking, citizenship rights and due process, as well as the inclusion of human rights in the 2013 Constitution. The Committee also identified a number of areas where Viet Nam needs to take action to better fulfil its obligations under the ICCPR, in some instances reiterating previous Concluding Observations. Recommendations on the death penalty, freedom of expression and human rights defenders were identified as priorities that Viet Nam is expected to report on by 29 March 2021 (follow-up recommendations.)

EU JULE Policy Brief No.3 summarizes the main findings as well as the recommendations for Viet Nam to follow up with its commitment with the ICCPR.