Rule of Law

The NCHR will continue its work on Investigative Interviewing in Vietnam. The NCHR aims to expand police cooperation in Southeast Asia, and globally. Our partners contribute to these efforts.

Investigative Interviewing

In response to the Universal Periodic Review of 2009, the Vietnamese Government expressed its support for ensuring compliance of key pieces of national legislation, namely the 2003 Criminal Procedure Code and 1999 Penal Code with international human rights treaty commitments.

The Vietnamese criminal justice system faces a number of challenges in this respect. Among these lies the issue of implementation of the 2003 Criminal Procedure Code in a manner consistent with international human rights law.

The presumption of innocence is a key legal principal in preserving the rights of the accused throughout the criminal justice process. The NCHR in partnership with the Ministry of Public Security has identified the implementation of the presumption of innocence in the investigative and interrogation process as a key focus of our activities.

The role of the defence lawyer during the criminal justice process is essential to ensure adherence to domestic criminal procedure and international human rights law. In close connection with our partners, the NCHR's endeavours to work towards improvement of the working relationship between Vietnamese defence lawyers and police.

Through a number of training seminars and workshops, the NCHR will facilitate a two-way exchange of knowledge and experience between Vietnam and Norway in relation to the presumption of innocence and the role of the defense lawyer in practice.

The Corps of Vietnamese instructors, consisting of local police, is expanding. Decision-makers in Vietnamese Police and Police Authorities will undergo an introductory course in the Norwegian Hearing and Investigation Model (K.R.E.A.T.I.V) to ensure broader understanding and support for the model and initiative in the following years. The NCHR seeks to include Vietnam in the work of the UN for global standards for interrogation.

Published June 15, 2017 11:23 AM - Last modified June 29, 2017 1:28 PM