Many National Assembly deputies yesterday suggested removing the death penalty for certain crimes, including robbery, illegal drugs stocking, causing war and crimes against humanity.
The matter was discussed at a session of the NA in Ha Noi.

The death penalty was also proposed to be removed for surrender, war crimes and destruction of major works or means regarding national security.

Many deputies said the removal of death penalty was in the main spirit of modern law due to humanitarian reasons, noting that serious crimes still carried life imprisonment.

Deputy To Van Tam from Kon Tum Province suggested that the punishment should not be removed for two crimes: crimes against humanity and war crimes. Tam said these crimes included acts such as genocide, destruction of lives and killing ordinary people. These acts must be granted the highest punishment.

Deputy Nguyen Ba Thuyen from Lam Dong Province said the death sentence should not be removed for robbery and illegal drugs trafficking.

"If we remove the punishment with drugs trafficking, all those who got caught will claim that they were only transporting the drugs and therefore can get away with it," he said.

Deputy SiuHuong from Gia Lai Province said capital punishment should still be given to those charged with public property misappropriation and bribery. She said these were two most serious crimes among corruption-related crimes, and the continuance of capital punishment with this crime would act as an effective deterrent.

Deputies also discussed the banning of capital punishment to convicts who are: pregnant women or fostering children of less than 3 years old; those of more than 75 years old and those convicted for manufacturing counterfeit products which are medicines.

Deputy Dang Thi Kim Chi from Phu Yen Province said those who are 75 years old or above might not live much longer, thus when given life sentence they are no longer a menace to society.

Legal entity

Deputies also talked about adding criminal liability of legal entities to the amended law, saying that it was important to strictly address individuals who violate the law.

Deputy ThanDuc Nam from Da Nang City said the criminalization of legal entities would be an effective tool to manage and address violations of legal entities during their operation.

Deputy To Van Tam from Kon Tum also lauded the amendment, but wondered when a legal entity violates laws and is suspended from operation, what would happen to labourers who work for the legal entity. Tam said labourers should not have to bear the responsibilities for a legal entity's law violations.

VNS