In March 2019, the UN Human Rights Committee will review Viet Nam’s compliance with its international human rights obligations, and more in particular the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by Viet Nam. Lawyers for Lawyers submitted a joint submission with Lawyers Rights’ Watch Canada, to inform the Committee about the situation of lawyers in Viet Nam.
The adequate protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms requires that every citizen has effective access to justice and legal assistance. However, the authorities of Viet Nam have failed to take substantive steps to ensure rights to fair trial and to guarantee that every citizen has effective access to justice and to timely and confidential legal assistance of their choice.
There are a small number of lawyers in Viet Nam who dare to represent those who speak out against the Government of Viet Nam, and who dare to contribute to the public debate about controversial topics such as a future multiparty democracy system and recognition of internationally protected rights in Viet Nam. Lawyers in Viet Nam still face threats, intimidation, physical attacks, prosecution and long terms of arbitrary detention in connection to their professional activities and the exercise of their right to freedom of expression.
The joint submission is a short update to the report filed on 1 May 2018, which was a joint submission for the List of Issues.
