VietNamNet Bridge – A national conference reviewing the implementation of two major laws and their effectiveness in the workings of the country's legal system was held in the capital city yesterday, Dec 6.

The laws in question are the 2002 Law on the Organisation of the Supreme People's Procuracy and the 2003 Criminal Litigation Code.

In his opening remarks, Nguyen Hoa Binh, Director General of the Viet Nam Supreme People's Procuracy, said that since they came into force 10 years ago, the two laws have laid a firm legal foundation for the organisation and activities of Vietnamese prosecuting agencies in general and the Supreme People's Procuracy in particular.

"The two codes have greatly contributed to maintaining political security and social law and order. They have protected the regime and the laws, rights and legitimate interests of Vietnamese citizens," said Binh.

However, he added that lessons learned in the last 10 years have shown that more attention should be made to differentiate between the basic functions of criminal procedures. The roles, functions and authority of different agencies should be very clear to ensure that prosecutions take place in a transparent, accountable and democratic manner.

He also emphasised the importance of restructuring the Supreme People's Procuracy to help improve its performance.

Addressing the participants, President Truong Tan Sang spoke highly of the achievements gained by the legal sector in the past decade, including by the People's Procuracy.

"You have done a great job in protecting the Party and Government, the legal system of socialism and the rights and legal benefits of organisations and citizens," Sang said.

"The biggest award for you all is that you have won the people's support and confidence from the Party. However, what you have achieved is still modest. The quality of judiciary work is still short of expectations and there are still criminal cases that have not been properly handled, or have even been missed altogether. The encroachment of citizens' democracy is also still reported here and there, and is unacceptable."

Sang asked the participants of the conference to focus their discussions on the five main tasks that require quick attention. They are:

Firstly, to draw lessons learned from the past 10 years.

Secondly, to review the process of existing judiciary reform and the ongoing revision of the 1992 Constitution and the Law on the Organisation of the Supreme People's Procuracy.

Thirdly, to align the organisation and activities of the revised Supreme People's Procuracy with the renewal of the justice system.

Fourthly, to ensure that the Code on Criminal Litigation is revised so that it is fully transparent and efficient.

Finally, to build a contingent of staff who are dedicated, highly professional and knowledgeable in politics and law.

Procuracy General Director Nguyen Hoa Binh called on conference participants to give their opinions and suggestions to help the agency accomplish its assigned tasks.

Source: VNS