(VOVworld) - The President’s Decision on Amnesty was announced at a press conference in Hanoi on Friday on the occasion of the 70^th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2). Standing Vice Chairman of the President’s Office, Giang Son, said the amnesty reiterates the Vietnamese Party and State’s clemency policy: strictly punish any violations in combination with mercy, which aims to rehabilitate offenders to become useful members of society and abide by State law. He said: "Reality shows that amnesties provide prisoners opportunities to regret their mistakes and change for the better. Reports released by the Ministry of Public Security indicated that most of the pardoned prisoners have integrated well into society while many of them are leading stable lives and making acknowledged contributions to society."
18,298 inmates serving jail terms and eligible for amnesty according to State law are set to be freed ahead of their scheduled release dates, while 241 others whose sentences have been delayed or suspended are being pardoned. The decision will take effect next Monday.