CCPR Centre

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The Centre for Civil and Political Rights envisions a world where the civil and political rights are protected, respected, and fulfilled for everyone Latest news about the UN Human Rights Committee #HRCttee & #ICCPR

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 grades #Germany 🇩🇪 with a 🟡 B on the right to privacy, welcoming reforms to surveillance laws and the creation of an independent oversight body. However, it raises concerns over the lack of clear information on how these reforms are applied and remedies for abuse.

On institutional care in #Germany 🇩🇪, #HRCttee 🇺🇳 grades: 🟡 a, b, c, e. Noted abuse prevention and legal steps, but calls for more reforms 🔴 d. Criticizes ongoing allowance of forced sterilization of adults with disabilities 🟢 f. Praised COVID-19 protections for older persons

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 downgraded its assessment from 🟡 B to 🔴 C (not satisfactory) on para. 40(a) over the prolonged lack of accountability for the 2008 crackdown. With investigations still pending 15+ years later and no victim compensation, impunity and inadequate redress persist

CCPR Centre@ccprcentre.bsky.social · last yr.

On peaceful assembly #HRCttee 🇺🇳 welcomes #Armenia’s 🇦🇲 reforms, including Police Guard and legal amendments, but raises concern over continued excessive force, arbitrary arrests and impunity, especially for 2008, 2015, 2016 & 2018 protests Grade: B (partially satisfactory) 🟡

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 praises #Armenia’s 🇦🇲 electoral reforms but flags legal barriers preventing persons declared “incapacitated” from voting or standing for office. It also calls for stronger enforcement and updates on the 2024 reform package. Grade: B (partially satisfactory) 🟡

On peaceful assembly #HRCttee 🇺🇳 welcomes #Armenia’s 🇦🇲 reforms, including Police Guard and legal amendments, but raises concern over continued excessive force, arbitrary arrests and impunity, especially for 2008, 2015, 2016 & 2018 protests Grade: B (partially satisfactory) 🟡

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 raised concerns once again over the broad restrictions on freedom of expression in #Vietnam 🇻🇳, reminding that under General Comment 34, any limits must be lawful, necessary & proportionate. Shutting down media outlets for “distorting information” may be excessive

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 member Ndiaye finds #Vietnam 🇻🇳’s replies insufficient and presses further: 'Who disciplines judges, and how is independence from the Party ensured? Can non-Party candidates run without approval? What protects lawyers in sensitive cases from reprisals?'

#Vietnam 🇻🇳 replies to #HRCttee 🇺🇳 that civil society operates freely within the law and no one is prosecuted solely for CSO membership, including HRDs or journalists. Recent convictions, such as for tax evasion, followed legal procedures and clemency was granted where applicable

CCPR Centre@ccprcentre.bsky.social · last yr.

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 mentions the restriction of the right to association in #Vietnam 🇻🇳 Decree 126/2024 expands State powers to dissolve groups without due process, while prior authorization, funding limits, and vague tax laws are used to silence activists and shrink civic space

#Vietnam 🇻🇳 replies to #HRCttee 🇺🇳 that Decree 126/2024 regulates associations to ensure lawful operation and prevent abuses like terrorist financing. It cites over 70,000 registered groups and claims the rules are transparent and non-discriminatory, in line with the Constitution.

CCPR Centre@ccprcentre.bsky.social · last yr.

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 mentions the restriction of the right to association in #Vietnam 🇻🇳 Decree 126/2024 expands State powers to dissolve groups without due process, while prior authorization, funding limits, and vague tax laws are used to silence activists and shrink civic space

#Vietnam 🇻🇳 replies to #HRCttee 🇺🇳 and justifies restrictions on online speech as necessary to combat disinformation and protect national security, citing threats from foreign websites spreading false information. It insists that its legal framework aligns with int' obligations

#Vietnam 🇻🇳 replies to the #HRCttee 🇺🇳 and claims to promote religious freedom and equality among all communities, highlighting outreach efforts such as conferences and legal awareness activities in 2024. Decree 45 on religious freedom has also been revised for greater clarity.

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 mentions the restriction of the right to association in #Vietnam 🇻🇳 Decree 126/2024 expands State powers to dissolve groups without due process, while prior authorization, funding limits, and vague tax laws are used to silence activists and shrink civic space

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 expresses concern about the lack of judicial independence in #Vietnam 🇻🇳, especially in cases related to national security. Activists and HRDs are tried under vague charges with limited access to lawyers, who themselves face harassment, disbarment or prosecution.

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 mentions that human trafficking remains a serious issue in #Vietnam 🇻🇳, with 45% of cases in 2022 linked to domestic exploitation. Victims aged 16–17 are treated as adults, foreign victims lack protection, and shelters remain few and under-resourced.

#Vietnam 🇻🇳 replied to #HRCttee 🇺🇳 concerns on the lack of a NHRI by stating it has a mechanism with similar functions (the Citizen Defence Committee). Establishing a Paris Principles-compliant NHRI would require constitutional reform, 'a complex process still under review'.

#Vietnam 🇻🇳 responds to #HRCttee 🇺🇳 climate questions by highlighting its 1M-hectare low-emission rice program in Mekong Delta (2024–2030) Involving 44 ethnic groups—including Khmer Krom, Hoa & Cham—it uses sustainable methods to boost yields, cut emissions & improve livelihoods

#HRCttee 🇺🇳 notes credible reports of torture, ill-treatment & abusive solitary confinement in #VietNam 🇻🇳 targeting activists, journalists & religious minorities. Authorities deny such practices and fail to guarantee independent investigations/sanctions against those responsible

Minister of Justice of #VietNam 🇻🇳 Mr. Hai Ninh underlines importance of the dialogue with #HRCttee 🇺🇳 and claims progress after last review with adoption of the National Action Plan on legal reforms, access to justice, human rights education, and coordination with UN mechanisms

The #HRCttee 🇺🇳 begins the dialogue with #VietNam 🇻🇳 emphasizing the importance of NGO submissions and reminding the State party of UN zero tolerance towards reprisals ‘No person or organization should face retaliation for cooperating with the Committee, whether in Geneva or elsewhere’

The session on #Haiti 🇭🇹 closes unusually early, with the delegation not using its full speaking time and leaving many questions unanswered. The #HRCttee 🇺🇳 hopes to receive the outstanding replies within two working days, as per CCPR regulations

The #HRCttee 🇺🇳 appreciates the State Party’s responses but notes that several questions remain unanswered, including concerns that many people still lack access to ID papers, leading to wide-ranging negative consequences