In December, Vietnam's National Assembly approved further...

In December, Vietnam's National Assembly approved further amendments to the country's penal code that were expected to cut by a third the number of crimes punishable by death. The changes had been approved after a week of discussion at Vietnam's legislative body, which meets twice a year. The amendments would take effect from next July. Assembly officials declined to give details, but had previously said there would be fewer death sentences for white-collar crimes, which diplomats believe include offenses such as embezzlement and graft. Courts have handed down a number of death sentences in recent years for graft and smuggling, which have become rampant in Vietnam despite the tough criminal code.