Vietnam proposes reducing death penalty scope in Penal Code revision

Penal Code amendment death penalty abolition criminal justice reform National Assembly Vietnam law

The Vietnamese government has presented draft amendments to the Penal Code to the National Assembly, proposing a significant reduction in the use of the death penalty. Under the proposal, capital punishment would be abolished for six offenses: rebellion, rape of a person under 16, illegal drug trafficking, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and terrorism aimed at opposing the administration. The death penalty would be retained for only four crimes: treason, murder, terrorism, and illegal drug production.

Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang stated that narrowing the scope of capital punishment aligns with progressive legislative trends and aims to enhance international cooperation in criminal justice, extradition, and mutual legal assistance. The draft also includes nine new criminal offenses covering areas such as cybersecurity, high technology, and environmental protection. Additionally, the proposal suggests doubling fine levels and monetary thresholds for various offenses to reflect current economic conditions.

While the Law and Justice Committee expressed support for narrowing the scope of the death penalty, several members urged caution regarding the removal of capital punishment for drug trafficking, child rape, and war crimes, citing concerns over potential impacts on crime deterrence. The draft also proposes expanding the scope for excluding criminal responsibility in research and testing involving new technologies and removing the penalty that bans commercial legal entities from mobilizing capital when they commit crimes.

Entities

Government of Vietnam · Luong Tam Quang · Ministry of Public Security · National Assembly of Vietnam · Phan Chi Hieu · Vietnam

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The draft removes the penalty that bans commercial legal entities from mobilizing capital when they commit crimes. cafef.vn · thanhnien.vn
[● 2 SOURCES] Members of the Law and Justice Committee expressed caution regarding the removal of the death penalty for drug trafficking and war crimes. news.tuoitre.vn · kevesko.vn
[● 3 SOURCES] The draft expands the scope for excluding criminal responsibility in areas involving new technology research and testing. cafef.vn · thanhnien.vn
[● 7 SOURCES] Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang presented the draft amendments to the Penal Code to the National Assembly. news.tuoitre.vn · kevesko.vn · baoxaydung.vn · cafef.vn · thanhnien.vn · +1 more
[DISPUTED] The draft proposal seeks to abolish the death penalty for six specific offenses: rebellion, rape of a person under 16, illegal drug trafficking, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and terrorism. news.tuoitre.vn · kevesko.vn · baoxaydung.vn · cafef.vn · www.independent.co.uk
[● 5 SOURCES] The draft proposes to double fine levels and monetary thresholds for various offenses to align with economic changes. baoxaydung.vn · cafef.vn · kevesko.vn · thanhnien.vn
[● 5 SOURCES] The draft includes nine new criminal offenses and updates existing ones to include new objective behaviors. baoxaydung.vn · cafef.vn · thanhnien.vn · www.independent.co.uk
[DISPUTED] The death penalty would be retained for four offenses: treason, murder, terrorism, and illegal drug production. news.tuoitre.vn · kevesko.vn · baoxaydung.vn · cafef.vn · www.independent.co.uk