United Nations Economic and Social Council E/C.12/VNM/CO/2-4 Distr.: General 15 December 2014 Original: English Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Concluding observations on the second to fourth periodic reports of Viet Nam* 1. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the second to fourth periodic reports of Viet Nam on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/C.12/VNM/2-4) at its 42nd and 43rd meetings (see E/C.12/2014/SR.42 and 43), held on 10 and 11 November 2014. At its 70th meeting, held on 28 November 2014, it adopted the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. While regretting the late submission, the Committee welcomes the second to fourth periodic reports submitted by the State party and the supplementary information provided in the replies to the list of issues (E/C.12/VNM/Q/2-4/Add.1) as well as orally by the delegation. The Committee also welcomes the constructive dialogue held with the State party’s high-level delegation, which represented various relevant branches of the Government. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, in 2001. 4. The Committee notes with appreciation the precedence accorded to the Covenant over domestic law, as provided for in the 2005 Law on the Conclusion, Accession to and Implementation of International Treaties. 5. The Committee welcomes the measures taken by the State party which contribute to the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, including: * Adopted by the Committee at its fifty-third session (10–28 November 2014). GE.14-24324 (E) 

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