Death sentence removed for espionage and treacherous acts against the state in Vietnam
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Vietnam's death row count is set to see a significant drop, with the number of offenses worthy of capital punishment nearly halved, going from a hefty 18 to a more manageable 10, according to the newly approved penal code by the National Assembly. The official Bao Chinh Phu news portal Reported this update.
Now, criminal activities like attempting to topple the administration, tampering with government facilities, and the illegal production and trade of fake medication will no longer carry the death penalty. Instead, the worst offenders will be handed down the most severe sentence of life imprisonment.
In a statement, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang pointed out that the current death penalty structure is a contentious issue, often misaligned with the evolving socio-economic landscape and the practicalities of crime prevention.
One justification for the change provided by Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh is that, in the majority of cases, individuals received the death penalty for the aforementioned crimes were not actually executed.
"Eliminating the death penalty for specific crimes will also facilitate stronger international cooperation," Ninh added[3].
For over a decade, executions in Vietnam have been carried out via lethal injection, replacing the more grisly firing squad method. The exact number of executions remains a secret, but Amnesty International has estimated that over 1,200 people are currently on death row by the end of 2023[2].
Vietnamese law dictates that those sentenced to death for the eight previously capital punishment-worthy crimes prior to July 1, 2025, will have their sentences commuted to life imprisonment by the Supreme People's Court chief judge[3][4].
In essence, Vietnam's approach to revising its penal code is multifaceted and encompasses numerous modern legal, social, and international factors. The Nation is aiming to foster better understanding and cooperation with other countries, manage the realities of enforcing capital punishment, and align its legal system with contemporary human rights discussions and reforms occurring in Southeast Asia[4][5].
Noteworthy Insights:- Vietnam’s decision to reduce the number of death penalty offenses and replace them with life imprisonment is a holistic approach to tackle evolving legal, social, and international concerns.- The removal of the death penalty for specific crimes, such as bribery, embezzlement, espionage, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, demonstrates a more nuanced approach to punishment severity.- The National Assembly's approval of the amendment reflects a strong political commitment to modernize and humanize Vietnam's justice system.- Continued close international cooperation is an important objective for Vietnam as this reformation takes effect.
- The revised penal code in Vietnam, backed by the National Assembly, marks a significant shift in international justice policy-and-legislation, as it eliminates the death penalty for certain crimes like bribery, embezzlement, espionage, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, signifying a more compassionate and nuanced approach to punishment severity in the politics of Southeast Asia.
- Recognizing the need for stronger international cooperation, Vietnam's decision to cut the number of death penalty offenses and replace them with life imprisonment for crimes like attempting to topple the administration, tampering with government facilities, and the illegal production and trade of fake medication act as a beacon for general news, demonstrating Vietnam's commitment to modernize and humanize its justice system in line with contemporary human rights discussions and reforms occurring globally.
