A/HRC/41/7 death from 44 (in 1989) to 18 (in 2015) and had expanded the categories of persons who could not be subjected to capital punishment (persons under 18 years of age, pregnant women or women nursing children under 36 months old, persons over 75 and others). Though Viet Nam did not publish statistics on the death penalty, all verdicts and executions were announced in the media. Viet Nam was currently studying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. 23. Viet Nam respected the freedom of expression, the press and the Internet. The law on the press of 2016 contained detailed regulations governing the freedom of the press and the Internet for all citizens. Over the past four years, the number of Internet subscribers had doubled. Viet Nam was among the world’s fastest growing countries in terms of Internet and social media use. The development of the Internet had been a key driver of the country’s economic and social advancement in recent years. 24. The cybersecurity law sought to address the use of cyberspace to violate the legitimate interest of organizations and individuals, undermine national security and jeopardize social order and security. In essence, the law did not alter existing legislation concerning human rights and was in line with article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. At the same time, it aimed for a healthy cyber environment, providing for the general welfare in a democratic society in the context of article 4 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 25. Viet Nam, as one of the most religiously diversified countries, respected and protected the freedom of religion and belief. All forms of discrimination on the ground of religion were prohibited. Administrative procedures related to religious organizations and events were consistently applied and publicly available, and were increasingly streamlined and simplified. More than 60 per cent of administrative procedures were only for notification purposes. 26. In Viet Nam, no one was arrested or put on trial for legitimately exercising their freedom of speech or assembly. Only those who violated the law were arrested and tried, following due process and in accordance with the relevant laws, and such cases were closely monitored by the National Assembly, the People’s Court, the People’s Procuracy and the media. 27. Viet Nam prohibited all forms of violence and abuse against women and children. Serious violations were criminalized. The Government had concrete measures in place to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence and abuse against children and provided legal counsel and social assistance for the protection of children’s rights. 28. Viet Nam had criminalized human trafficking and taken steps to combat that crime and to rescue and assist the reintegration of victims through medical and psychological treatment, vocational training and credit assistance. The Government was also stepping up the dissemination of information to raise public awareness about human trafficking, particularly in remote areas. 29. Viet Nam had developed a set of policies to narrow the development gap among the geographical regions across the country. In those policies, special attention was paid to poor households, ethnic minorities and people living in remote areas, and resources for poverty reduction and social welfare were prioritized. Viet Nam was also mustering all resources within the society and stepping up international cooperation to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 30. A multi-ethnic country, Viet Nam ensured equality among different ethnic groups. Priority was given to, and development assistance policies were tailored for, ethnic minorities, regions and industries. The proportion of National Assembly members who were from ethnic minorities was 17 per cent, higher than the proportion of persons from ethnic minorities in the population (14 per cent). 31. Viet Nam employed various mechanisms to ensure the protection of human rights. The establishment of a national human rights institution required careful deliberation to optimize its operation and avoid overlaps. Viet Nam had been organizing many conferences 5