COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION
OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Forty-third session

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION

Concluding observations of the Committee on the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Viet Nam

348. At its 1009th meeting, held on 18 August 1993, the Committee adopted the following concluding observations.

(a) Introduction

349. The Committee expressed its appreciation to the State party for the information contained in its report and the supplementary information provided by the State party representative. The Committee welcomed the resumption of the dialogue with the State party and noted with satisfaction that reports submitted by Viet Nam had been recently considered by several other human rights treaty bodies.

(b) Positive aspects

350. The Committee noted with satisfaction that the State party had undertaken to move towards a fuller establishment of the rule of law and to reform its legislation in line with its obligations under various international human rights treaties.

351. The Committee also welcomed the State party's efforts to improve the level of socio-economic development of ethnic minorities, especially of those living in the mountainous regions of the country.

(c) Factors and difficulties impeding the application of the Convention

352. The Committee noted the difficulties encountered by the State party during the current transitional period of economic and social reconstruction following years of war.

(d) Principal subjects of concern

353. With regard to the implementation of article 4 of the Convention, the Committee expressed concern that article 81 of the Penal Code did not refer to all the acts of ethnic or racial discrimination prohibited by the Convention. Furthermore, the Committee noted the insufficiency of the information provided on the practical implementation of articles 5 and 6 of the Convention, in particular regarding ethnic and religious minorities, refugees, children of mixed origin and Vietnamese abroad.

354. The Committee was also concerned that the difficulties faced by the State party during the current period of reconstruction should not adversely affect the development of further initiatives to improve the implementation of programmes designed for the benefit of the most disadvantaged sectors of society, especially ethnic minorities.

(e) Suggestions and recommendations

355. The Committee recommended that the State party should prepare, as soon as possible, the core document containing information of a general nature.

356. The Committee would appreciate receiving in the next report further information on progress achieved in respect of development plans designed to improve the situation of ethnic minorities, particularly those living in the mountainous regions. Information was also requested on: the practical implementation of the Convention, in general; measures taken with regard to the implementation of article 4 of the Convention; developments with regard to freedom of movement, freedom of opinion and freedom of religion; the number of complaints of racial discrimination received and considered by the courts, and the judgements handed down in such cases.

357. The Committee suggested that further measures should be taken to implement more fully article 7 of the Convention, and that technical assistance should be called upon for the translation of international instruments into minority languages.

358. The Committee expressed the hope that the State party would consider making the declaration under article 14 of the Convention and recommended that the State party should seriously consider withdrawing its reservations under the Convention.