Since 2009, Vietnam has conducted 12 amnesty rounds benefiting approximately 118,000 inmates. Most of those granted amnesty have returned to their communities, stabilized their lives and reintegrated into society as law-abiding citizens. The recidivism rate among amnesty recipients has remained relatively low.

Authorities said the amnesty process has consistently met political, legal, professional and diplomatic requirements, earning broad public support domestically and positive recognition internationally.

The results continue to affirm the Party and State’s consistent policies and legal framework in promoting and protecting human rights fairly and equally.

On the occasion of the 51st anniversary of national reunification, the successful organization of the 14th National Party Congress and the elections for the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils for the 2026-2031 term, the President issued the 2026 amnesty decision in accordance with the Amnesty Law.

At the meeting, the Advisory Council heard reports from the Ministry of Public Security on the implementation of the presidential decision, including dossiers of inmates eligible and ineligible for amnesty consideration.

The Supreme People’s Court also presented dossiers regarding individuals temporarily suspended from serving prison sentences who either qualify or do not qualify for amnesty consideration.

In implementing the presidential decision, authorities reviewed and verified more than 10,000 dossiers submitted by prisons and detention centers under the Ministry of Public Security, provincial criminal judgment enforcement agencies and detention facilities managed by the Ministry of National Defense.

The proposed amnesty dossiers underwent multiple levels of review involving various ministries, agencies and functional departments, along with oversight from social organizations and the public.

Speaking at the session, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc emphasized that humanitarianism and leniency toward offenders are longstanding traditions of the Vietnamese people.

He said Vietnamese law demonstrates strictness toward criminals, especially masterminds, ringleaders, repeat offenders and those who remain defiant, while also showing leniency toward offenders who sincerely repent, make amends and strive to rehabilitate themselves into useful members of society.

The Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged that despite the short timeline and the large volume of dossiers, ministries, agencies and council members had worked urgently and responsibly to ensure the amnesty process was carried out rigorously, lawfully and on schedule.

The Advisory Council then proceeded to review the dossiers and lists of inmates eligible and ineligible for amnesty, along with cases involving individuals temporarily suspended from serving prison sentences who may qualify under the presidential decision.

To ensure a strict and lawful review process aligned with the objectives of the amnesty program, the Deputy Prime Minister urged council members to carefully examine each case with transparency, objectivity and thorough consideration.

Following the meeting, the Amnesty Advisory Council will compile and submit the final list of eligible inmates to the President for review and decision.

Tran Thuong