(VOVworld)- Since the Law on Amnesty was approved by the National Assembly in 2007, thousands of prisoners have been released on major occasions in Vietnam. This year, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day, approximately 18,000 prisoners will be pardoned, the largest number ever. It reflects the Vietnamese Party, and State’s lenient policy and Vietnam’s humanitarian tradition.
In response to the President’s decision on amnesty, the Ministry of Public Security, Inspectorate, Supreme People’s Court and Ministry of Justice have made necessary preparations to ensure that the release is promptly carried out in accordance with legal regulations.
Ensuring transparency, democracy, fairness in amnesty
Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Head of the Central Advisory Council on Amnesty, urges relevant agencies to collaborate closely and promptly issue documents guiding the implementation of the President’s decision on amnesty. The Council has posted its amnesty guidelines on media and disseminated its conditions for amnesty to prisoners in all prisons. The determination of prisoner eligibility will be carefully made. Major General Nguyen Ngoc Bang, General Director of the General Department of Criminal Sentence Enforcement and Judicial Assistance of the Ministry of Public Security said that thanks to the direction of the Central Council and close coordination between relevant agencies, this year’s amnesty process will be transparent, strict, democratic and prompt without discrimination between Vietnamese and foreigners: “We are determined to name the right people as eligible for amnesty. We will evaluate each and every prisoner, make a list of them and send it to the Central Council to review and submit to the President for approval. This year, a number of foreigners are eligible for amnesty”.
Amnesty reflects Vietnam’s humanitarian policy
Vietnam’s leniency policy has had a positive impact on society. It encourages prisoners to obey prison regulations and make restitution for their crimes so they can go home early. According to the Ministry of Public Security, only 0.73% of 2013’s pardoned prisoners have committed new crimes. The amnesty strengthens people’s trust in the Party and State’s leniency policy.
Amnesty helps to reduce State spending for prisoners. Transparency and democracy in implementing amnesty and disseminating amnesty-related information reassures foreign human rights organizations about Vietnam’s clemency policy.
Pardoned inmates helped to reintegrate into the community
Vietnam’s lenient policy is also reflected in its efforts to help ex-prisoners integrate into the community. Mr. Bang again:“The Central Advisory Council on Amnesty has asked localities to help ex-prisoners integrate into the community. It’s important to eliminate discrimination against ex-prisoners and give them jobs”.
Most pardoned prisoners quickly stabilize their lives and effectively integrate into the community. Many of them have become successful and taken an active role in humanitarian activities.