In cooperation with the Institute of Legislative Studies under the Standing Committee, the National Assembly of Vietnam
The objectives of this conference are to provide an open forum for scholars to discuss both theoretical and practical aspects of emergency laws, to gather information about emergency laws in many different jurisdictions, and to discuss similarities and differences between them. This conference takes place at a time when many states have adopted emergency measures to respond to many challenges to public health, the economy and governance caused by the COVID‐19 pandemic.
We hope to discuss questions such as:
- What should be the substantive and procedural requirements for declaration of a state of emergency?
- What are the appropriate limits to the use of emergency powers, particularly protecting the human rights commitments of states?
- What types of mechanisms can or should be in place to control abuse of power or other negative impacts on citizens during a state of emergency?
- How do the experiences of different jurisdictions differ and what lessons can be learnt?
Conference Program
The conference will take place on 16 and 17 June, 2020
Melbourne time - GMT+10: 12pm-3pm
Hanoi time - GMT+7: 9am-12pm
Video Recordings
Part 1 - Introduction and Legislation / Constitution
Part 2 - Human Rights
Part 3 - Martial Law / Criminal Justice / Emergency
Part 4 - Health / Emergency
Part 5 - Rule of Law and Accountability
Part 6 - Economy and Workers / Labour
Part 7 - General Discussion
Conference Guidelines
Conference Proceedings
Papers to be presented
Introduction and Legislation/Constitution
Human Rights
Martial Law / Criminal Justice / Emergency
Health / Emergency
Rule of Law and Accountability
Economy and Workers/Labour
General Discussion
This is an online conference, and many of you will be attending from different time zones. We have therefore made some special arrangements to ensure you are able to participate fully in the conference discussions.
- The conference sessions will be ‘live’ and will take place via Zoom.
- The conference sessions will be devoted to questions and answers and discussions. Everyone participating in the sessions will have had an opportunity to read the papers in advance.
- The Chairperson will provide a summary of the main ideas and themes of the papers in each session, and provide a short summary of each paper.
- Each speaker will respond to a specific question about their paper.
- The rest of the session will be devoted to discussion about all papers.
- Participants can type their questions in the 'Chat' section of Zoom.
- Each session will be 1 hour long.
- This conference is jointly organised by:
- School of Law, Vietnam National University, Hanoi
- Asian Law Centre, Melbourne Law School, The University of Melbourne
- in cooperation with the Institute of Legislative Studies under the Standing Committee, the National Assembly of Vietnam
- Please direct queries about the conference to:
Kathryn Taylor (in English) or
Vucong, Giao (in Vietnamese)