What is the role of Police in the anti-corruption efforts of the Government of Vietnam? What are the checks and balances that would keep Police forces accountable, efficient and professional to perform their important functions in enforcement of the Law and in protecting constitutional rights of the people of Vietnam? These and other issues are in the Agenda of the first-ever workshop on Police integrity, held today in Danang by UNODC and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). The workshop provides a platform for an open dialogue on internal oversight services, the concept of integrity in the Police and on relevant international standards and practices. It, in turn, will help to discuss priorities in supporting the Police to uphold these standards. Given importance of the topic, senior representatives and experts of the the National Assembly, Supreme People's Procuracy, Supreme Court, Government Inspectorate, Ministry of Planning and Investment of Vietnam will participate in the workshop. Among international guests are Ms. Evelyn Lam, Hong Kong Police Chief superintendent, representatives from the Australian and the Netherlands Police forces as well as a from embassies and civil society organizations. The event has further significance, as it is the first time the MPS has agreed to work with an international organization on this issue and underlines the MPS’ political will to engage in international cooperation on anti-corruption and promotion of integrity, accountability and transparency within the MPS. Ms. Zhuldyz Akisheva, UNODC Country Manager and Senior Lieutenant General Dang Van Hieu, Deputy Standing Minister of the MPS will co-chair the dialogue. “The topic of this workshop is of great importance for Vietnam as well as for other countries since an effective, professional and accountable law enforcement and justice system is a key component of the rule of law, good governance and of effective protection of human rights,” said Ms. Z. Akisheva. Today’s event is part of a broader area of UNODC support to the Government of Vietnam to strengthen accountability of public officials, including in law enforcement and Justice institutions, in line with the requirements of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). A strong and transparent law enforcement and criminal justice system is a backbone of efficient anti-corruption efforts and this need was highlighted during the 2012 review of Vietnam’s implementation of UNCAC. This need was further underlined by Party General Secretary H.E. Nguyen Phu Trong at a national conference on anti-corruption on May 5th 2014, having said that the fight against corruption can only be effective if the agencies in charge of anti-corruption are ethical and clean. (Dangcongsan.vn Aug 26)
