International Workshop on Independent Child Rights Monitoring

The workshop involves international speakers from selected countries where an effective independent child right monitoring mechanism has been well established and functioned such as Norway, Malaysia, India and Mongolia. Participants to the workshop includes representatives from various National Assembly's Committees and government's ministries, UN agencies, development partners, academic institutions and CSOs. The workshop also provides an important opportunity to generate fruitful discussion to inform the child law amendment particularly regarding provisions that guide the establishment of an ICRM mechanism in Viet Nam. It also helps to consolidate knowledge to develop a clear road map towards establishment of this mechanism. "As a developing country, we are facing many difficulties and challenges and we are aware that more efforts need to be made to ensure Vietnamese children have more opportunities to realize their rights equally, and being care for and protected both physically and emotionally" Dr. Uong Chu Luu, Vice President of Viet Nam National Assembly said at the International Workshop this morning.

Despite its recognized status as a pioneer of the CRC, Viet Nam has not yet introduced an independent child rights monitoring mechanism – or ICRM – which falls within the State's commitment upon ratification to ensure the implementation of the Convention and to advance the universal realization of children's rights. The absence of ICRM was repeatedly raised by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child during the last two review sessions in Geneva in 2003 and 2012. The independent nature of the mechanism allows for effective monitoring of commitments and implementation of child rights by various state institutions. The mechanism also support giving voices to children in major decision makings. Given specific vulnerabilities of children as compared with adults and the need for their protection from violence, exploitation, discrimination and neglect, a dedicated institution for children makes their rights more visible and it helps promote a higher political and social priority for them. "UNICEF strongly advocates for the timely establishment of an independent state institution that is resourced and accountable for ICRM. Understanding the specific context of Viet Nam, it is up to the national partners to develop an adapted model in a consultative process fully accounting for the independent nature of the institution. UNICEF stands ready to provide full fledge support to Viet Nam to fulfil this obligation within the CRC framework", said Mr. Youssouf Abdel-Jelil, UNICEF Representative in Viet Nam.

For further information, please contact:

• Truong Quoc Hung, The Institute for Legislative Studies, Standing Committee of the National Assembly of Viet Nam; Tel: 0903251974; Email: vpqhvn@gmail.com
• Mr. Louis Vigneault-Dubois, UNICEF Viet Nam +84-4-38500241 ; +84-966539673 ; lvigneault@unicef.org
• Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong, UNICEF Viet Nam; Tel. 84 4 38500225; Email: ntthuong@unicef.org