Improved international regulations and standards are needed to protect the rights and welfare of migrants, including thousands of Vietnamese guest workers, speakers said at an international conference on migration and labour held  in HCM City on August 3.

Labour migration is a highly fluid phenomenon in the 21st century, capturing public attention and driving political controversy globally, Prof Kaxton Yu-Kwan Siu, of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Applied Social Sciences, said.

The scholar noted that even as cross-border or inter-regional movement may beckon as a source of hope and new opportunity, the experience for migrants and their families is often fraught with peril.

He cited the example of Vietnam, where foreign investors have built many export-oriented factories that has generated a constant rural-to-urban work migration flow.

Nguyen Thi Hong Xoan, dean of the sociology faculty at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in HCM City, said that migrant workers face a lack of protections, high recruitment costs, and costly and lengthy migration procedures.

In 2015, some 36 percent of HCM City’s population were migrants with temporary residence status, according to figures from the World Bank.

Another survey by the World Bank in the same year showed three quarters of employees at foreign firms in Vietam were migrant workers. 

Around 80,000 Vietnamese leave the country for jobs overseas each year, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO). About 400,000 Vietnamese workers are present in more than 40 countries and territories worldwide. 

According to the World Bank’s Migration and Remittances, the inflows of remittances to Vietnam by guest workers reached 13.8 billion USD in 2017, a rise of 16 percent over 2016, ranking eighth in the world, showing the economic significance of labour migration.

However, there are major issues associated with labour migration such as the violation of rights of workers by employers, breach of contracts and desertion by workers, illegal networks of recruitment, and violation of government regulations on recruitment procedures.

Migrant workers are often vulnerable and policies across the region do little to address their needs, according to the ILO.

According to UN data, 80 percent of intra-ASEAN migrants are low skilled and many of them are undocumented. 

Construction, plantation work and domestic services are the sectors that receive the most migrant workers.

They often face arrest or deportation when attempting to fight for their rights, and are bound to special documents that limit their ability to change jobs.

The conference on “Migration and Labour in Vietnam” gathered scholars from different parts of the world and drew on a wide variety of disciplines, including history,   anthropology, ethnic studies, gender studies, public health, law and public policy.

The event was organised by HCM City’s University of Social Sciences and Humanities and Hong Kong Polytechnic University./.

The freedon of religion has become a focal area of hostile forces in their subversive strategies against Vietnam. They usually repeat their distortion that Vietnam Communist Party and State violate the freedom of relition of its people. The annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is such a kind.

Their consistent goal is to seperate religion against socialist regime; seperate religions from the great unity bloc of Vietnam’s revolution. Their tricks include: distorting the Party and State’s guidelines and policies on religion; make up and then condemn the authorities of discrimination and suppression against religions to incite and devide our people and discredit Vietnam in international arena, etc. They consider the religious extremists as “detonators” and core force in attracting and gathering ordinary people to counter the Party, the State, then draw the attention of international communities. Besides backing this forces, they also coordinate closely with individuals and bad-will international organizations to distort the freedom of religion in Vietnam.

As before, the 2019 annual report of USCIRF released on the 29^th April, 2019 also wrongly assessed the freedom of religion in Vietnam. It said: religious freedom conditions in Vietnam trended negative, the overall situation for religious groups deteriorated in 2018; “the government of Vietnam continues to oppress religions, arrests the peaceful protestors claiming for freedom of belief and worship”, “Many religious groups are not recognized by the government and not licensed”, etc. These are same old statments that have been made up, distorted and repeated with bad intention. Since they can not deny the positives in religious life in our country, they reluctantly reported some achievements and progress in the promotion of the freedom of religion in Vietnam. However, the overwhelming and consistent content of the Report is still subjective and bias in favour of illegal activities which were conducted in the name of “fighting for the freedom of religion”, “democracy, human rights”, with an aim to intervening into Vietnam’s internal affairs, undermine the great unity bloc and destabilizing the country’s politics.

Then, why does USCIRF repeat these allegations? This is understandable. With the aim to overthrowing the socialist regime in Vietnam, they can not admit our socio-economic achievements as well as the progress in the freedom of religion in Vietnam. Because they are influenced by the rightist viepoints in the U.S politics, they are bound by and can not ascape from the prejudice against Vietnam. They did not see the whole truth about the freedom of religion in Vietnam but just based their statements on the informantion provided by internal dissidents and opponents, and the exiling reactionary groups who ususlly take adavantage of the matters of  “democracy, human rights, religion” to counter Vietnam. With such a bias, subjective and cold-war approach, USCIRF is running counter the Comprehensive Partnership and Strategic Vision good relations between the U.S and Vietnam.

Each country has different views on the freedom of religion due to different custom and culture. Therefore, in order to have the right and objective assessment of the freedom of religion of a country, it is necessary to base on a number of factors, first and foremost, the policies and laws of the state and the practical life of the people.

At present, many religions are seen active in Vietnam but they all stay side by side with the destiny of the nation. They are one of the positive factors making the diversity and distinction of Vietnam’s culture. Stemming from the revolution’s requirement and task, and the situation of religions, during its leadership, our Party and State have always respected and ensured the freedom of belief and religion of its people; advocated the policies of equality and unity among relgions without bias or discrimination; strictly prohibited all violations of the freedom of religion and belief, etc. Right after peace was restored in the North, President Ho Chi Minh signed the Decree No. 234/SL stating that: “The freedom of belief and worship is the right of the people. The government always respect and assist people in their practice. The government will not intervene into the internal affairs of religions”. The 7^th Central Resolution (9^th tenure) stated: “Belief and religion is a demand of a number of people. They are and will exist with the nation during the building of socialism in Vietnam. Religious people are part of the great unity bloc. To consistently implement the policy of respecting and ensuring the freedom of follow or not follow a belief or religion and the right to practice religion in accordance with laws”. The resolution of the 12^th National Congress of the Party has also stated clearly that: “Pay attention and create favorable condition for religions to conduct their practice in accordance with the Charter and Regulation that have been recognized by the State and law, making positive contribution to the cause of national construction and defense”.

Institutionalizing the Party’s lines and international laws on the freedom of religion and belief, the 1946, 1959, 1980, 1992 and 2013 Constitutions of our country all ruled the freedom of belief and freedom of the people. Article 24 of the 2013 Constitution clearly stated: “All people are free to follow or not follow any belief or religion. All religions are equal to law. The State respect and protect the freedom of religion and belief. No one are allowed to violate the freedom of religion and belief, or take use of religion and belief to violate the law”. Besides, the National Assembly has approved the Law on Religion and belief (2016) and the Government has issued a decree instructing the implementation of the law. This is an important legal basis, meeting the requirement of religious operation in the new era. At the same time, it further improve the legal system and promote the freedom of relgion of the people; renovate the managerial mechanism, making it more easy and transparent to respect and protect the freedom of religion and belief of the people.

Contrary to the fallacy and distortion about the freedom of religion in Vietnam, over the past years, with the sound policies and laws of our Party and State, the freedom of religion and belief of our people has always been well ensured and respected in reality. The number of worship venues, religious followers, dignities, and festivals is increasing. At present, Vietnam has more than 24.3 million followers of 6 major religions; 28,000 worship venues; over 8,000 annual festivals. Each religion has their own educational system, etc. Implementing the guideline of the Party and State, localities have granted land using certificates and made it easy for religions to build and renovate their worship venues; administrative procedure for practicing religion has been simplified. In addition, religious communities are taken care of with a number of socio-economic development program, hence improving their living standard, opportunely settling social security issues and making it favourable for them to practice their religions.

Together with respecting and protecting the freedom of religion and belief, our State also strictly prohibits all act of abusing the freedom of religion and belief to violate the laws and the legitimate interests of other people and State. Accordingly, the arrests of some people who took advantage of the freedom of religion and belief to violate the laws, and undermine political security and social safety are to international and Vietnam’s laws. They are absolutely not “oppression” or “restrain” the religion as alleged by the hostile forces.

Through out the country, from the North to the South, from the countryside to urban and moutainous areas, temples, pagodas, churches, etc are built everywhere. Christian people must be aware of the changes in the La Vang Church in Hai Lang, Quang Tri province which was destroyed by the U.S bombs in 1972. The church has been rebuilt in an area of 21ha of land with a capacity of 5,000 people, representing the biggest Cartholic church in the country. Not only the Christian, followers of other religions also feel big changes in their religious life, especially when it comes to their worship venues and the conditions for conducting rituals. The holy centres of Hoahaoism in the southwestern provinces of An Giang, Can Tho, Dong Thap or of Caodaism in the provinces of Tay Ninh or Ben Tre, etc are well maintained meeting the demand of their followers and become tourist attractions of both domestic and international tourists.

Not only improving of the spiritual life of  religious people domestically, our Party and State also promoted their responsibility for international religious activities. Vietnam has successfully held the UN Vesak Day three times. Especially, the 2019 International Day of Vesak was successfully held in the Tam Chuc Pagoda (Kim Bang district, Ha Nam province) with thousands of participants of 570 delegations coming from 112 countries and territories, including state leaders, Deputy Secretart General of the United Nations, and over 20 ambassadors and representatives for international organizations in Vietnam, etc. which was highly appreciated by international communities.

The above-mentioned reality has manifested clearly the freedom of religion and belief in Vietnam today. This has laid bare all the tricks that take use of religious matters to discredit Vietnam Communist Party and State, incite its people and undermine the country’s great unity bloc.

 "A crisis of politics or a "crisis of numbers"? The migrant and refugee crisis has become a serious test for the unity of Europe as a political project. The inflow of destitute migrants and refugees has tested Europe's political unity to an unprecedented extent. With a long-term solution to the migrant and refugee crisis nowhere in sight, the adverse impact of the current situation has the potential to unfold further and to give rise to a broader crisis with long-term implications, affecting Europe and the MENA region alike.

In his influential essay "The End of History?", Professor Francis Fukuyama predicted that the universalization of the Western concept of liberal democracy, in the aftermath of the end of the Cold War, would prevail and erase differences between peoples, societies, civilizations and world regions. Nevertheless, the manipulation of despair and the violent destruction of lives and assets in the Middle East have taken their toll in terms of the radicalization of youth. The re-emergence of populism in advanced countries continue to divide their societies. The situation is particularly striking in countries of Central and Eastern Europe that witnessed a surge in nationalist sentiments once the communist era came to an end and that did not have a colonial past. In Western Europe, the adverse impact of globalization and the financial crisis have given rise to the notion of a lost generation in which Europe's youth experience greater degrees of impoverishment, inequality and unemployment. A political vacuum has therefore emerged, which has given rise to movements that anchor their ideologies on anti-globalization, unilateralism, protectionism and extreme forms of nationalism. Progress is being achieved to come to terms with its deadly sting, but populism in the West and extremism in the Middle East - spilling over into Europe – cannot be set against one another. The former is still – but for how long – predominantly peaceful in nature while the latter is generating political violence.

Populist parties are emerging as credible actors in light of the recent electoral successes in local and national elections. Their recipe for success: spread of fear, anger, hatred and xenophobia towards refugees and migrants in an attempt to confer legitimacy to their political ideologies. Right wing and populist parties in the West are on the offensive and are now threatening the democratic traditions of a continent referred to as the birthplace of democracy, liberalism and Enlightenment. It challenges the legitimacy of national governments and threatens to restore extreme forms of nationalistic reactions that constitute direct threats to peace, reconciliation and international cooperation. It remains a paradox that countries in Central and Eastern Europe – often the most vocal critics of the arrival of migrants and refugees – have one of the lowest percentages of people belonging to Islam. These are the countries that have benefitted most from inter-EU migration and from an open labour market. Populism, however, does not arise out of nowhere. Establishment political parties have catered to the wealthy and failed to address burning social issues, thus creating a vacuum into which political opportunists could move.

Another feature that is ubiquitous is the tendency to externalise responses to address the plight of people on the move. In this regard, fences and walls have been erected and borders sealed off in an attempt to outsource and externalise solutions to address the rise of people on the move. In addition to the notorious wall between US and Mexico, which will be made even more repellent, and to the no less notorious one cutting off the Palestinian Occupied Territories, border fences and wires have been erected between the borders of Spanish enclaves (Melilla, Ceuta)/Morocco, Slovenia/Croatia, Hungary/Croatia, Hungary/Serbia, Macedonia/Greece, Turkey/Greece and Bulgaria/Turkey. Hungary has also considered erecting a fence along the Hungarian/Romanian border in response to the influx of people on the move.

Although it is the sovereign right of every country to implement measures deemed appropriate to protect their national borders, these physical barriers can come in conflict with the right of people to seek asylum as stipulated in article 14, paragraph 1, of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (a right, however, not included in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), and in the 1951 Refugees Convention, which defines a refugee as a person outside his country of nationality who has a well founded fear of persecution if returned to his country of origin. Providing assistance and protection to refugees is, therefore, in line with States' obligations under international law and not only with their moral duties to respond to the dire situation many desperate people are facing. In this connection, it is worth referring to Pope Francis's tweet made on 18 March 2017 where he appealed to decision-makers to not "build walls but bridges, to conquer evil with good, offence with forgiveness, to live in peace with everyone." Pope Francis has likewise urged societies "to welcome, to protect, to promote, and to integrate migrants and refugees".

The origin of attempts in Europe to "externalize" solutions to the refugee and migrant crisis can be traced back to the 1990 Dublin Convention. The latter stipulates the right to deport migrants and refugees to the first country of arrival, primarily to Greece, Spain and Italy, which are the first European entry points for people on the move owing to their geographical location. Countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea therefore are faced with the burden of absorbing the migrant and refugee inflows from the MENA region. This approach has contributed to an unfair distribution and relocation system of migrants and refugees where countries neighbouring bordering Syria and Iraq and then European countries situated on the Mediterranean Sea coast are the most affected. In the report of the United Nations Secretary-Generaladdressing large movements of migrants and refugees - submitted in April 2016 to the United Nations General Assembly - he regretted that "too often, responsibility for new arrivals lies with the authorities and host communities in the first country of arrival."

The European Union (EU) has also attempted to work with neighbouring states to defuse the crisis and to externalise solutions to control the flow of people on the move. It appears that the EU has drawn inspiration from the Australian government that have established refugee camps in neighbouring countries such as the island state of Nauru to address the inflow of refugees. In this connection, an agreement was reached between EU and Turkey, in March 2016, which stipulates, inter alia, that Ankara accepts the return of illegal migrants entering Europe. In counterpart, the EU would commit to investing EUR 3 billion to support livelihood projects for returning migrants. A similar position has also been taken vis-à-vis another migratory transit country Libya, in which the EU is committed to supporting the endeavours of the Libyan government to detain migrants and refugees in confinement camps. In response to this practice, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein referred to the detention of migrants and refugees in Libya as "an outrage to humanity".

Despite these attempts to outsource solutions to the migrant and refugee crisis, inflows of people on the move have not ceased as the main destination regions of migrants and refugees remain the advanced and developed countries in Northern Europe. In this connection, the migrant and refugee crisis is not sustainable in the long run either for Europe or for the Arab region. The rise of populism in Europe – which so far remains political in nature – and the rise of violent extremism in the Middle East – which is an immediate threat – endanger the long-term stability of both regions and has the potential to stir an even bigger migrant and refugee crisis in the future. The root-causes of the unprecedented flow of people on the move have multiple causes, which require a multilevel response. It is imperative that decision-makers recognise the multitude of factors that contribute to the forced displacement of people. Most importantly, peace and stability and a climate conducive to the development of and the respect for human rights must be restored. It is hard to imagine why refugees and migrants would return to their home societies if sustainable and alternative livelihood options are not in place to meet the individual and collective needs of peoples and societies, and if wars and armed conflicts continue unabated.

An ethnic ceremony

Vietnam’s ethnic minority groups are to be empowered to develop policies involving their communities.

Accelerating civil engagement is one of the main targets in the master plan on investment for socio-economic development in ethnic minority, mountainous areas and regions with difficult socio-economic conditions in the period between 2021 and 2025.

Representatives of ethnic minority groups joined a consultation workshop in Hanoi on July 31, for the first time, to voice their opinions and recommendations on the important document.

“People’s participation in formulating the policy will help make it more impactful and applicable in addressing their demands,” said Bui Van Lich, head of Work Group No. 56 under the Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs – the agency in charge of this master plan.

The draft master plan sets ambitious goals, covering socio-economic and social security aspects.

By 2025, the growth rates of provinces in ethnic minority area are expected to reach 8 to 10 percent per year, higher than the national average.

Meanwhile, the average income of a minority ethnic person is aimed to rise 2.5 times, helping reduce the poverty rate by 4 to 5 percent a year.

Each commune will have a kindergarten, primary school and secondary school to serve the basic education of local children.

Up to 75 percent and 99 percent of ethnic minority households will have access to clean water and the electrical grid, respectively.

“To obtain these goals, besides the determination of authorities, it is essential to have communities join hands to discuss efficient implementations and budget distributing plans since they are the ones who understand their own problems best,” said Lich.

At present, Vietnam has 118 policies specialised in addressing ethnic minority affairs, affecting some 14 million people of more than 53 groups.

However, according to Lich these policies have been scattered and lacked breakthroughs to create significant changes.

Therefore, the committee will file a proposal to the Government and National Assembly on composing a national target programme on ethnic minority development with a vision to improve socio-economic conditions and infrastructure in ethnic minority areas, unleash their potential in securing livelihoods and conserving indigenous culture, while at the same time utilising the State budget.

Under the framework of the consolation, representatives of different ethnic minority groups touched upon several issues of concern.

Kray Suc from Dak Rong district, the central province of Quang Tri, said most current assistance policies covered only poverty reduction and socio-economic improvement yet paid little attention to culture conservation and development.

“I hope in the near future there will be more experts working in the field to maintain and spread values of languages, dances, music and other art forms of ethnic minorities,” he said.

For Ly Sao Mai from the northern province of Hoa Binh, forest protection is a lifeline.

“Although the Government has issued some policies on forest protection, mechanisms to encourage the participation of local resident have been not effective. Therefore, I want it to be better highlighted in upcoming documents,” she said.

The draft master plan will be filed to the Government for consideration on August 5.

A Vietnamese farmer

In spite of being implemented in 2011, the Government-supported agriculture insurance programme which aims to protect farmers against losses of crops and livestock has so far failed to attract farmers due to high premium and complicated procedures.

The household of Tran Huy Cuong, a farmer in Lap Thach district in the northern province of Vinh Phuc, was among 6,000 local households to buy agriculture insurance while it was being trialled in 2011-2013.

After a year, he decided to end the participation because the insurance premium was high and the compensation rate remained too low.

“Pigs’ pneumonia, which is a common disease, is not covered, meanwhile, the insurance covers less common illnesses or those that have vaccines,” he told Nong Thon Ngay Nay (Countryside Today) newspaper.

During the trial between 2011 and 2013, participating households in Vinh Phuc province were mostly near-poor households. The participation number remained low compared to the total number of farmers.

Truong Cong Thang, deputy head of the provincial Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Veterinary, said there are not many insurance companies participating in the programme because the provincial small-scale production has exposed to high risks of losses due to low market prices and increasing prices of feed.

Even large scale cooperatives do not think it is necessary to buy insurance for their produce.

Tran Thanh Son, Director of Binh Dinh Cooperative, a big cooperative in northern Thai Binh province specialising in seedlings, irrigation and fertilisers, has neither heard about agriculture insurance nor bought any type of insurance for his production. But he thinks the insurance application process will be complicated.

Farmers of the cooperative earn less than 1 million VND (43.5 USD) per 360sq.m in each season, not to mention someone who suffers from losses or enjoys zero profit. It is such a hard task to persuade them to buy high-cost agriculture insurance, he said.

If the Government supports 100 percent of the insurance premium for poor and near-poor households and 80 percent for other households, the farmers will be able to participate in the scheme, he said.

More support from Government

In June this year, the Government issued a decision to allocate more funds for localities to implement the agriculture insurance programme.

The subjects covered by agriculture insurance are rice plants, buffaloes, cows, black tiger prawn and white-legged shrimp.

An individual who works in agriculture and is from a poor or near-poor household will receive support of up to 90 percent for agricultural insurance premium from the Government.

Others who are not from poor or near-poor households will receive assistance of 20 percent.

Organisations which engage in agricultural production will be offered 20 percent of fees if they meet specific requirements.

The assistance will be valid from June 26, 2019 until the end of 2020.

Nguyen Van Hinh, head of the agricultural development sub-department of An Giang province in the Mekong Delta, said the local authorities find it difficult to implement the new decision. Although the Government offers high rates of financial assistance to poor farmers, most poor households in the province do not have land to plant rice.

Agriculture expert, Professor Vo Tong Xuan, principal of Nam Can Tho University, said the decision has demonstrated good will of the Government but it might be difficult to implement. Farmers hesitate to apply for insurance due to the distance they have to travel, lacking knowledge about conditions required by insurance companies and complicated procedures.

Local authorities must get involved to support farmers, he said.

Hoang Xuan Dieu, former director of Agricultural Insurance Department of Bao Viet Insurance Corporation, said: “We should persuade farmers so they understand buying insurance is to share production risks. In case of losses, they will receive compensation and from there, they can reinvest in their production.”

The ‘Vietnamese give priority to Vietnamese goods’ campaign received an active response from people from all walks of life

Over the past 10 years, the ‘Vietnamese give priority to Vietnamese goods’ campaign has been widely deployed and received an active response from people from all walks of life and the business community. In addition to promoting and increasing the value of domestic products, the campaign has helped to curb inflation, reduce trade deficit, and ensure supply and demand balance, as well as contribute to the national socio-economic development.

In recent years, along with the rapid growth of supermarkets and convenience stores in Vietnam, the volume of Vietnamese goods in domestic supermarkets has always accounted for over 90%. For traditional retail channels, the proportion of Vietnamese goods at markets and stores is at least 60%. Even in supermarkets with foreign capital, Vietnamese goods are also dominating, specifically, Lotte (82% in revenue and 84% in quantity), Big C (96% in revenue), AEON (80% in product code), MegaMarket (95% in product code).

The campaign has created a positive impact on the whole of society, helping consumers and agencies, units and organisations be better aware of their responsibilities and rights in using domestic products. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, this is an important factor to help the total retail and service flow of goods since 2009. It has continuously increased by about 10% per year, especially in the last three years, this increase continuously established new records of 10.2%, 10.9%, and 11.7%, respectively.

On the other hand, this is also the motivation for domestic industrial production to grow positively with an enhancing localisation rate. Accordingly, the growth rate of industrial production over the past years has increased significantly (2018: 10.2%; 2017: 9.4%; 2016: 7.5%; 2015: 9, 8%). In addition, some key industries such as garment-textile, footwear, automobile manufacturing, milk processing, yarn and dyeing have increased the rate of localisation and volume of science-technology in products.

The domestic business community has also built a sense of constantly improving and applying science and technology, renewing the process of production and management to create quality products. It can be seen that many domestic goods products have truly conquered consumers, many of which have become the pride of Vietnamese people.

The practical results from the campaign as well as the growth of the manufacturing and service industries have contributed significantly to curb inflation and stabilise the macro economy. Consumer price index (CPI) from the inflation rate of 19.8% in 2008 has dropped to below 5% in recent years. Particularly, the country has shifted from a trade deficit to a trade surplus. In 2010, Vietnam's trade deficit was US$12.5 billion, but by 2018, Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of nearly US$7.2 billion.

Obviously, the campaign has affirmed the intended direction of the Party and State, which has great significance in many aspects. It has upheld the national pride and self-esteem in every Vietnamese person, enhanced the responsibilities of branches and sectors, contributed to building a self-reliant economy as well as promoting the national strength to help Vietnamese enterprises stand firm and overcome difficulties in the integration trend. This is also considered an important premise for the campaign to continue to be effectively implemented in the coming time, especially in the context of the country’s deeper integration and the expansion of the international market.

However, besides the advantages, Vietnamese enterprises will also face pressure from having to comply with commitments in free trade agreements that Vietnam has joined as well as opening and cutting down tariff lines according to the roadmap of the FTAs. In addition, competitive pressure in the domestic market with imported goods as well as the production of FDI enterprises is very fierce. Some Vietnamese products are not competitive enough in quality, design, packaging, after-sales service, etc. More seriously, trade fraud and counterfeit goods have been getting more complicated, causing a negative impact on the Vietnamese brand.

In order to further promote the campaign in the coming time, it is necessary to strengthen communication to raise awareness and responsibilities of producers and consumers for the production and use of Vietnamese goods, as well as strengthening coordination among ministries, sectors and localities for domestic market development. More effective measures should also be devised to increase the value of Vietnamese brands to make inroads into international markets.

Ninety children of 19 ethnic minority groups in Dien Bien province gathered at the Children’s Forum jointly held by the provincial People’s Committee, the World Vision Vietnam and the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in the Northern mountainous locality on July 31.

Themed “Children with children’s issues,” the event created a venue for children to voice their ideas and aspirations, as well as put forth proposals concerning several noticeable problems like drowning, violence and abuse of children, impact of digital technology on children’s development, child trafficking, and early marriage.

At the forum (Photo: giaoducthoidai.vn)

Through presentations, art performances and paintings, the children expressed their hope to live in a safer environment, have better care, receive life skill education, and particularly have their opinions respected.

Speaking at the forum, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Van Quy said although a wide range of policies have been carried out to protect children’s rights, many in remote areas are suffering tremendous disadvantages.

He asked competent agencies, districts and towns to strictly implement the Law on Children, and promote effective models to take care of the children such as “safe house,” “safe school” and “safe community,” as well as those preventing violence and abuse of children.

Due attention must be paid to carrying out regulations on receiving information and coordinating actions to handle child abuse cases.

He called on businesses to join hands with local authorities to create more playgrounds for children.

Within the framework of the forum, children had a chance to offer incense at A1 war cemetery, visit the Dien Bien Phu Victory Museum, and exchange with disadvantaged children at the center for social protection of children, and SOS children’s village.

Vietnam actively participated in the negotiation process and building of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and has made significant efforts in enforcing the pact.

The country has a coastline of more than 3,260km and thousands of islands, including the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.

Aware of the importance of the sea, Vietnam has always upheld the principles and goals of the UNCLOS while taking actions to contribute to the implementation of the convention.

Before the UNCLOS came into force, Vietnam had utilized relevant provisions of international law to build domestic legal documents on seas.

In 1977, Vietnam issued the Declaration of the Government on Vietnam’s territorial waters, which declared its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone.

Photo for illustration

The declaration was issued when the UNCLOS was being negotiated and it was supported by the majority of countries at the third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea, reflecting Vietnam’s contributions to the codification of international law.

With this declaration, Vietnam together with Kenya, Myanmar, Cuba, Yemen, Dominica, Guatemala, India, Pakistan, Mexico and the Seychelles were considered among the pioneering countries in making “exclusive economic zone” customary international law and later became a key content of the UNCLOS.

Vietnam was among 107 countries signing the UNCLOS in Montego Bay, Jamaica, right after the pact was open for signature and was among the first countries ratifying it before it took effect.

In 1994, the National Assembly of Vietnam issued a resolution approving the UNCLOS. The resolution affirmed Vietnam’s sovereignty over its internal waters, territorial waters as well as its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the contiguous sea, exclusive economic zone, and continental shelf on the basis of the UNCLOS provisions and the rules of international law, demanding other countries respect Vietnam’s rights.

The resolution also affirms Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and its policies to settle disputes and other differences related to the East Sea through peaceful talks in a spirit of equality, mutual understanding and mutual respect, and respect for international law.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the official entry into force of the UNCLOS and the 25th anniversary of Vietnam’s ratification of the UNCLOS.

As a member of the UNCLOS, Vietnam is entitled to a 12-nautical mile territorial sea, 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of at least 200 nautical miles.

To demonstrate the obligations and goodwill of a signatory of the UNCLOS, Vietnam has always respected and implemented its obligations defined by the UNCLOS, improved its national legal system, and applied the UNCLOS provisions in identifying its waters, delimitation of maritime boundaries with neighboring countries and marine usage.

Vietnam has also worked with other countries in line with the UNCLOS regulations for the sustainable preservation and use of marine resources.

In 2012, Vietnam approved the Law of the Sea of Vietnam, an important step to translating the provisions of the UNCLOS into domestic legislation, creating favorable conditions for synchronous management of territorial waters and marine economic development.

The National Assembly also approved the Vietnam Maritime Code in 2015, which came into effect on July 1, 2017.

The legislature passed a series of other sea-related legal documents such as the Law on national border in 2003, Law on environmental protection in 2014 and Law on natural resources and sea and island environment in 2015.

Vietnam has made great efforts to apply the UNCLOS in delimitation of marine boundary with neighboring countries.

Specifically, Vietnam and Thailand signed an agreement on settling the maritime boundary between the two countries in the Gulf of Thailand on August 9, 1997, Vietnam and China signed an agreement on the delimitation of the Tonkin Gulf and another on fisheries cooperation on December 25, 2000, and Vietnam and Indonesia signed an agreement on the delimitation of continental shelf on June 26, 2003.

Further, Vietnam has protected international law, including the UNCLOS. While discussing disputes in the East Sea, Vietnam has consistently demanded respect for international law and the UNCLOS, considering it a principle to settle and resolve sea-related disputes.

Vietnam has made endeavors in incorporating this principle in ASEAN documents, including the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), ASEAN Six-point Principles on the East Sea and the draft Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Such contents as international law and UNCLOS for long-term resolution of disputes in the East Sea were included in the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues signed between Vietnam and China on November 10, 2011.

Based on the provisions of the UNCLOS, Vietnam has effectively deployed marine economic development activities in its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf within 200 nautical miles in favor of national development.

Vietnam has been fostering cooperation with relevant parties in marine environmental protection, search and rescue on sea, natural disaster prevention and implementation of measures to combat crime, contributing to the implementation of the UNCLOS.

In addition, Vietnam has participated in developing international and inter-regional sea-related mechanisms and legal documents such as the Convention on the International Maritime Satellite Organization (INMARSAT) and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

The country has also joined the Conventions of the International Maritime Organization.