(VNA): The United Nations' Committee on the Rights of the Child considers Viet Nam to be a good example of economic development while paying attention to the care and protection of children, said Jakob Doek, committee chairperson at a press conference in Ha Noi on May 9.

He said the purpose of his working visit to Viet Nam, which lasted from May 3-9, was to study the country's efforts in child protection, care and education, as well as its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

While in Viet Nam, Doek met and talked with different groups of children. He visited a reformatory school in Ninh Binh province, a boarding school for ethnic minority children in Quang Ninh province, met with Agent Orange victims, as well as held discussions with government officials and members of the National Assembly.

Doek said he highly evaluated the installation of a help line for children in Ha Noi. He said his organisation has always advocated activities like this. The help-line is expected to specifically benefit disadvantaged children because they are less likely to gain access to measures and instruments to protect their rights than ordinary ones.

Sharing his view, Christian Salazar, acting chief representative of the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF), said UNICEF also recognises the progress Viet Nam has made in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child and protecting the rights of all children. The organisation welcomes the Vietnamese Government's initiative in inviting Doek to Viet Nam to see first hand the progress that has been made in this area.

In 1990, Viet Nam became the first country in Asia and the second country in the world to ratify the convention.