A/HRC/57/7 and that of ethnic minorities had reached 16.5 per cent, a decrease of more than 4 percentage points. 26. Viet Nam had developed social assistance policies based on a life-cycle approach, providing various support measures from birth to passing. Measures included monthly cash allowances for individuals and households, support in acquiring health insurance, exemption from or reduction of tuition fees for students in special circumstances, and assistance for housing, access to clean water and information for those in poverty, rural communities, ethnic minorities and other disadvantaged areas and groups. 27. The Government of Viet Nam prioritized combating discrimination against women and gender-based violence. The national strategy for gender equality for the period 2021–2030 had been issued, and a month of action had been organized each year since 2016 to raise awareness regarding gender equality and response to gender-based violence. The 2019 Labour Code provided enhanced protection and prevention of discrimination against women, reducing the retirement age gap between women and men, defining sexual harassment in the workplace and allowing for flexible work hours to enable better balancing of work and familial responsibilities. 28. Viet Nam upheld freedom of expression, freedom of the press and the right to access information, as stipulated in the Constitution and laws. The press in Viet Nam had been thriving as a platform for public discussion, monitoring laws and policy implementation and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the people. There was no prior censorship of printed or broadcast materials. Favourable conditions had been created for the exercise of freedom of the press and freedom of speech, facilitated by investment in Internet and telecommunications infrastructure, which had contributed to reducing the gap in access to information across regions. Major cross-border digital platforms, such as YouTube, Google, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, were easily accessible in the country. Viet Nam had taken bold action to fight cybercrime, scams, misinformation and disinformation, while also protecting journalists and reporters. 29. Viet Nam was firmly committed to combating trafficking in persons and supporting victims. Between 2018 and 2020, 180 cases involving 450 individuals were prosecuted. Extensive training courses on prevention of trafficking in persons had been conducted for nearly 10,000 officials, especially at the grass-roots level. Between 2021 and 2023, 527 victims had been identified and provided with assistance free of charge. A hotline and 500 social protection centres nationwide had been established to support victims. Viet Nam earnestly engaged in cooperation with the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and bilateral partners to prevent trafficking in persons. 30. Since 2019, Viet Nam had issued 3 laws, 11 decrees and 68 circulars aimed at preventing acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Viet Nam had taken strict measures to punish acts of torture, and since 2019 had brought 12 defendants to trial for the crime of cruel treatment. Regular inspections had been conducted, and safeguards and upgrades had been implemented in detention centres and temporary detention facilities. Viet Nam had also promoted international cooperation in that field, including by submitting its second periodic report on implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and exploring the possibility of acceding to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. 31. Viet Nam upheld the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly. As of December 2022, in addition to 72,000 associations, there were 125,000 grass-roots trade unions in the country, with 11 million trade union members, accounting for more than 93 per cent of all eligible workers. Although a law on demonstrations had not been enacted, people’s demonstrations or gatherings were still allowed. 32. In Viet Nam, the Supreme People’s Procuracy and the Supreme People’s Court operated independently, reporting only to the National Assembly. The regulations governing the organization, functioning, financing and personnel aspects of those institutions ensured their judicial independence. The life, honour and dignity of judges were protected, and their appointment was based on high ethical standards, professional qualifications, work experience and rigorous examination. During trials, judges would only abide by the law and exercise their independence. Lower courts were also independent and not subject to the GE.24-09937 5