A/HRC/26/6 59. There had been a reduction in the number of crimes subject to the death penalty in the Penal Code since 2009. Viet Nam would work to further reduce the number of crimes subject to that punishment, particularly during the amending process for the Penal Code by 2016. By 2016, draft laws relating to human rights, such as the Amended Law on the Press, the Law on Association, the Law on Demonstrations and the Law on Information Access, would be submitted for the consideration of the National Assembly. 60. A report on ICCPR was being prepared for submission during 2014. The possibility of acceding to the Convention on Stateless Persons was being studied. Other studies on international human rights instruments, including the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, were under way. 61. The achievement of MDGs was emphasized, as three goals, those of poverty alleviation, universal primary education and gender equity enhancement, had been achieved ahead of schedule. Much progress had been made in achieving other goals. The post-2015 agenda of Viet Nam would focus on sustaining and improving results achieved in the domains of poverty reduction, social equity and HIV/AIDS. 62. The recent boom in the mass media and the wide use of the Internet had helped improve the exercise of freedom of the press and of expression, opinion and access to information. Public debate on democracy had taken place in the National Assembly, in other public forums and in the press on various topics and had included a public poll of confidence in elected public officials at all levels in 2013. 63. In conformity with ICCPR, restrictions on the exercise of the freedoms of expression and opinion were intended to protect public security, safety, order, health and morality, and to prevent the abuse of those freedoms to infringe legitimate rights and benefits or the dignity of other people and entities. The provisions of Decree 72 were in full conformity with the Laws on the Press and Telecommunications. 64. The delegation explained how provisions on national security and public order in the Penal Code were established and implemented in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ICCPR. It confirmed that, both in law and in practice, persons involved in legal proceedings, including pretrial detainees and prisoners, enjoyed rights and benefits such as family visits, legal assistance, access to justice, telecommunication services, food, health care and recreational activities without discrimination. 65. Afghanistan noted positive action, including the expansion of the education infrastructure for people of different age groups, and work with United Nations bodies to enhance cooperation in tackling child-related sexual crime in the region. 66. Albania commended the cooperation with interested parties at the national level in preparing the national report, and the consultation process for amendments to the Constitution. It welcomed steps to limit the scope of the death penalty. 67. Algeria commended legislative measures to improve the enjoyment of human rights. It referred to the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights, and action taken on education, health and social services. 68. Angola noted progress made since the last review. It commended efforts in the area of education and asked for more information on results obtained on the policy for integrating human rights into education. 69. Nicaragua commended cooperation with special procedures and treaty bodies, and legislative measures to promote respect for human rights. 8

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