17. The Committee takes note of the fact that the law makes no provision for the status of conscientious objector to military service, which may legitimately be claimed under article 18 of the Covenant.
The State party should ensure that persons liable for military service may claim the status of conscientious objector and perform alternative service without discrimination.
Conscription has existed ever since the foundation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976. Previously, conscription applied in both North and South Vietnam.
Conscription is enshrined in arts. 44 and 77 of the 1992 Constitution. According to art. 44: "It is the duty of the entire people to defend the socialist Vietnamese fatherland and firmly maintain national security."; according to art. 77: "Defending the fatherland is the citizens' sacred duty and noble right.
Learning True Love: How I Learned and Practiced Social Change in Vietnam by Chan Khong, 258 pages, 1993, US $16 paperback. Parallax Press, P.O. Box 7355, Berkeley, CA 94707, USA.
