Vietnamese Law on the Rights of Victims of Crimes - a Systematic Analysis of Domestic Law and Comparison with International Norms

Abstract

Victims of crimes are legitimate subjects entitled to recognition and protection from criminal justice institutions and the society. However, in many parts of the world, victims of crime have long been “forgotten” and have only recently gained attention in international law. National legal systems, including Vietnam’s, have increasingly introduced and expanded rights of victims of crimes. Despite these advancements, ensuring rights of this special group remains an ongoing legal reform process. This article provides a systematic overview of Vietnam’s legal provisions on the rights of victims of crimes, analysing their key components and comparing them with international legal standards - specifically, the 1985 United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power and the 2006 Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law. From the comparison, the article identifies key areas requiring further research.