VIETNAM: DEATH PENALTY SHOULD REMAIN FOR BRIBERY, CORRUPTION: LEGISLATORS

Vietnam should retain the death penalty for crimes such as bribery, corruption, and production of counterfeit food and pharmaceutical items, deputies of the National Assembly (NA) said at its ongoing session. "It is necessary to retain death sentences for embezzlement and bribery to prevent people from engaging in the crimes, as our fight against corruption is now very fierce," representative Nguyen Dang Trung, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City’s Bar Association, said at the discussion. Some deputies opposed the proposal of removing the penalty for the crime of manufacturing counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products because it could affect human life on a large scale, hinder smooth economic growth and cause other serious consequences. Meanwhile, other NA representatives said Vietnam should not eliminate the death sentence for those committing crimes violating national security and against humanity, including war criminals, considering the seriousness of the crimes.