STATEMENT

by Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuong Van, Representative of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

at the Sixth Committee of 63^rd Session of the General Assembly on Agenda Item 76:

“Status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and relating to the protection of civilians of armed conflicts”

Mr. Chairman,

We would like to begin by expressing our thanks to the Secretary General for his report entitled “Status of the Protocols additional to Geneva Conventions 1949 and relating to the protection of victims of armed conflict” in the Document A/63/118. The protection of civilians in armed conflicts has been a frequent item on the agenda of United Nations since the foundation of the Organization. Viet Nam takes note of the progressive development of international humanitarian law, including the four 1949 Geneva Conventions and the three additional Protocols.

 Fully understanding the devastating effects of war on a country and its population, Viet Nam has always upheld the principles of international humanitarian law. Viet Nam is now party to the 1949 Geneva Conventions and the First Additional Protocol. Viet Nam’s relevant agencies are also studying the possibility of acceding to the Second Additional Protocol.

Various legal documents have been promulgated in Viet Nam to give effect to and to implement Viet Nam’s obligations under the above-mentioned treaties. The Law on National Defense enacted by the National Assembly in 2005 as well as related regulations, such as the Disciplinary Rules of Viet Nam People’s Army, endorsed the fundamental principles of the international humanitarian law. Under the Law on National Defense, the fundamental principle of Vietnamese national defense, including activities of the Vietnamese armed forces, is to ensure protection of civilian population, in times of peace or armed conflicts.

Viet Nam has taken measures to disseminate nation-wide knowledge of international humanitarian law. The texts of important instruments of international humanitarian law, such as the Geneva Conventions and the two Additional Protocols, have been translated and published in Vietnamese. The mass media also plays an active role in this process by presenting news, articles and information on the implementation of international humanitarian law in Viet Nam and in the world at large. Representatives of Viet Nam People’s Army participated in various training courses organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is a dual process, as those trained in these courses are now trainers in annual training courses on international humanitarian law organized by Viet Nam People’s Army for their officers.

Viet Nam has also been very active in the promotion of international humanitarian law in international and regional contexts. In addition to sending participants to international and regional workshops, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam and the ICRC jointly organized in Hanoi in 2006 a Regional Workshop entitled “New Treaties and Implementation - the East Asian perspective”. This workshop recommended, among other things, the earlier accession to international humanitarian law instruments, including the 1977 Additional Protocols, as a way to promote international humanitarian law in the region.

Mr. Chairman,

Beside making efforts to promote and ensure the respect for international humanitarian law, we reaffirm the importance of a strategy of conflict prevention on a long-term basis, which addresses the root causes of armed conflict in a comprehensive manner in protecting the populations, first and foremost women and children, from the untold sufferings and loss caused by wars. With that in mind, while it is the primary responsibility of each Government to protect its citizens from atrocities of wars, international cooperation in preventing armed conflicts is also of significance.

Viet Nam is ready to join the international community in the efforts to create a world of peace and security, and full respect for and implementation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman./.