Vietnam Releases First Report on Torture, Claiming to Respect Human Rights

By Defend the Defenders, January 17, 2016

Vietnam has released its first report on torture and inhuman treatments against detainees, three years after verifying the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

The report, released by the Ministry of Public Security, reaffirmed the right of citizens not to be subjects of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

According to the report, there were five cases with 26 suspects accused of carrying out torture and inhumane treatments against suspects in criminal cases in the past five years.

Many police officers were jailed and two of them were sentenced with five years in prison, the ministry said, adding all perpetrators should be punished strictly.

The ministry said Vietnam meets difficulties in full implementation of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment due to the country’s specific conditions as well as lack of police officers’ understanding on human rights and their duties.

Vietnam ratified the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in 2014, however, many people have continued to be killed or suffer severe injuries when they were detained in police station nationwide.

Dozens of people died in police custody last year. Two died and two other got severe injured due to police attacks in the first weeks of this year.

Human rights defenders said few perpetrators have been sentenced to light sentences by courts which are not independent.