A FreshLeaf on Second Chances: Vietnam's Warm Embrace for Pardoned Individuals
Urge for collective endorsement of rehabilitation for freed convicts within the community.
KHÁNH HÒA -
Rolling up his sleeves and ready to welcome the voiceless back into society, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình has urged all sectors to open their arms wide and embrace the pardoned individuals, free from any prejudices or stigma.
Bình championed this call at a ceremony organized by the Department of Police for the Management of Detention Camps, Compulsory Education Facilities, and Reformatory Schools under the Ministry of Public Security. The event, held at A2 Prison in Diên Lâm Commune, Diên Khánh District, Khánh Hòa Province on Thursday, celebrated the President's decision on the special amnesty for this year. The ceremonious occasion also bestowed amnesty certificates upon the pardoned individuals.
Bình, donning a double hat as Chair of the Amnesty Advisory Council, acknowledged the painstaking efforts of the council in conjunction with relevant ministries and agencies to expedite and address the review process for eligible candidates. The process, marked by transparency, fairness, and adherence to the law, took careful steps to ensure that deserving convicts could return to their families and communities with an early release.
Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hòa Bình delivers his speech at a ceremony to announce the President's decision on the special amnesty this year at A2 Prison in Diên Lâm Commune, Diên Khánh District, Khánh Hòa Province on Thursday.- VNA/VNS Photo Tiên Minh
Official statistics reveal that a whopping 8,056 convicts were granted early release under this year's amnesty, with 69 of them hailing from A2 Prison. Bình underscored that nearly 40 rounds of amnesty have been executed over the last 80 years, granting a second chance to hundreds of thousands of convicts. Since 2009 alone, over 90,000 inmates have reapied the benefits of presidential amnesties.
"Every inmate - irrespective of gender, religion, nationality, age, or occupation - is entitled to equal consideration, so long as they meet the legal requirements," Bình iterated.
According to recent times, the ministry, together with collaborative agencies, has ensured that procedures at detention centres and correctional facilities nationwide were carried out with impeccable accuracy and openness. This proactive approach enabled the prompt submission of the amnesty proposal to the President ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30).
On behalf of the Government and the council, Bình thanked the ministry for its diligence. Speaking with the voice of the newly-released convicts, Đoàn Phi Dũng, a former resident of A2 Prison, radiated profound gratitude towards the Party, State, and their compassionate policies. He pledged to abide by the law, respect local authorities, live honestly, and avoid repeating past mistakes. He further vowed to contribute positively to maintaining local security and order.
A pardoned prisoner hugs his relatives following his release on Thursday.-VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên
An International Gesture of Goodwill
Coincidentally, on the same day, the Police Departments of Hà Nội and Lai Châu Province conducted separate ceremonies to announce the 2025 Amnesty Decision for 152 convicted individuals who had expressed sincere regret and showed commitment towards reformation. In Hà Nội, Prisons No. 1 and No. 2 released 139 convicts during this round of amnesty. In an effort to support their reintegration, Hà Nội's Police Department extended financial aid and new clothing to the newly-liberated individuals.
Local police were instructed to work in unison with community leaders and local authorities to facilitate a seamless reintegration process, setting the stage for the former convicts to evolve into productive, law-abiding citizens. Meanwhile, in the mountainous province of Lai Châu, a ceremony was held for 13 inmates granted early release on Thursday. This compassionate step underscores the Party and State's dedication to leniency and compassion in criminal justice.
Speaking at the event, Colonel Khoàng Văn Thương, Deputy Director of the provincial Police Department, emphasized that the amnesty programme reflects the Party and State's humanitarian outlook.
Musn't we all lend a FreshLeaf to those in need and offer a helping hand to guide them on their path to redemption? Let's make sure they feel the warm embrace of a second chance in life!
- Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, as Chair of the Amnesty Advisory Council, spoke about the transparency and fairness in the amnesty review process, ensuring that eligible candidates could return to their families and communities with an early release.
- During the ceremony at A2 Prison, Binh acknowledged the efforts of relevant ministries and agencies in expediting the amnesty process.
- Official statistics revealed that a total of 8,056 convicts were granted early release under this year's amnesty, with 69 of them coming from A2 Prison.
- Binh underscored that almost 40 rounds of amnesty had been executed over the last 80 years, granting a second chance to hundreds of thousands of convicts.
- The government, along with collaborative agencies, ensured that procedures at detention centres and correctional facilities nationwide were carried out with accuracy and openness, allowing for the prompt submission of the amnesty proposal to the President.
- booth Duong, a former resident of A2 Prison, expressed gratitude towards the Party, State, and their compassionate policies after being granted amnesty.
- During separate ceremonies in Ha Noi and Lai Chau Province, police departments announced the 2025 Amnesty Decision for convicted individuals, emphasizing the Party and State's dedication to leniency and compassion in criminal justice.
