Strengthening local capacity for UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) in Viet Nam
The Clingendael Academy has intensified its support for Viet Nam’s commitment to human rights by facilitating four regional training courses led by Vietnamese expert trainers on the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT).
The 2025 trainings were held in regions across Viet Nam, offering broad geographic access. From Tuyên Quang and Lào Cai, to Cần Thơ and Cao Lãnh, they offered tailored content to local working contexts and realities.
The courses, led by Vietnamese expert trainers, equipped provincial and local law enforcement officers with in-depth knowledge of UNCAT legal obligations. They also addressed the Vietnamese status of UNCAT implementation, Vietnamese Laws and Regulations and essential skills for the further implementation of UNCAT at the local level. Designed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security in close collaboration with the Clingendael Academy, the curriculum used focused on core principles for preventing, detecting, and reporting torture, always keeping Vietnamese contexts in mind. Interactive, case-based exercises and peer-to-peer learning equipped law enforcement officers with enhanced skills and best practices they can directly apply in their day-to-day-work.
The Clingendael Academy’s role was to observe and support the Vietnamese expert trainers during the conducted courses, by providing preparatory guidance, ongoing mentoring and constructive feedback. As a result, the expert trainers from Vietnam deepened their understanding of international standards and greatly enhanced their capacity to deliver high-quality, locally relevant human rights training to law enforcement officers across Viet Nam. This initiative forms part of a broader effort by the Clingendael Academy and the Government of Viet Nam to strengthen the country’s capacity to implement UNCAT. These efforts contribute to ensuring that the prohibition of torture, other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and respect for universal human rights standards are reflected at every level of law enforcement by enhancing the professional capacity of officers directly involved in investigations, (temporary) detention, execution of criminal sentences, and dissemination of knowledge. Next year we will continue our collaboration with four more regional training courses.
