Lawmakers of Vietnam’s National Assembly discussed in groups on October 19 a draft revised Penal Code, a draft National Assembly resolution on its implementation, and a draft amended Law on the Organisation of Criminal Investigation Agencies. The discussion took place during the second session of the 16th legislature.
Participants said the revised Penal Code would institutionalise judicial reform policies, strengthen the legal framework for crime prevention and control, and uphold humanitarian and rehabilitative principles in handling offenders while retaining the deterrent effect of criminal sanctions.
The drafting work was described as thorough. The drafting agency held public consultations, published the draft on its official portal, sought expert opinions and prepared a report explaining the feedback. The 16th National Assembly had previously given preliminary guidance on the revisions at its first extraordinary session.
The draft covers criminal offences, preparations to commit crimes and the criminal liability of commercial legal entities. It also adds provisions on organised crime, introduces new offences and creates a separate cybercrime category for offences involving information technology and telecommunications networks.
On penalties, the draft proposes further narrowing the use of capital punishment. The number of offences subject to the death penalty would be reduced from 10 to four. It also generally proposes doubling fines and the monetary thresholds used to determine criminal liability for various offences.
Other amendments concern grounds for excluding criminal liability, suspension of criminal prosecution, exemption from criminal liability and cases in which the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution does not apply.
During the discussion, lawmakers focused on restricting capital punishment, changing fines and monetary thresholds, adding new offences and restructuring provisions on cybercrime.
Regarding the draft law on the organisation of criminal investigation agencies, lawmakers said the amendments would make investigations more scientific, timely and effective. The draft changes the organisation of the People’s Public Security Force, the Vietnam People’s Army and other agencies assigned certain investigative tasks, taking into account the two-tier local administration model.
The document also sets out principles for criminal investigations, the powers and duties of investigative bodies and other agencies, the responsibilities of investigators, coordination and oversight mechanisms, conditions for investigative activities, and the responsibilities of relevant organisations and individuals.
Sources: VietnamPlus / Vietnam News Agency
