Continuing the 9th session, on the morning of May 27th, the National Assembly discussed the draft Law on Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Penal Code.
Death penalty should be imposed on crimes of producing and trading counterfeit food
Deputy Pham Khanh Phong Lan (Ho Chi Minh City delegation) expressed concern about the removal of the death penalty for embezzlement, bribery, illegal transportation of drugs, and production and trading of counterfeit drugs and food.
According to the deputy, these crimes have caused severe consequences, and the situation is becoming increasingly challenging, causing great difficulties for law enforcement and executive agencies.
Deputy Pham Khanh Phong Lan. (Photo: Quochoi.vn)
“Why are we reducing the sentence? This doesn’t make sense. If we give the reason that we should be humane to criminals and integrate with the world, how would the relatives of the victims, those who have died because of these crimes, feel?
Don’t say that people are unaware of this. Most criminals who commit these offenses are fully aware of the consequences and the harm they will cause, but they disregard it because of their self-interest. Therefore, I believe that the death penalty, the highest penalty, should still be applied in extremely serious cases,” the deputy suggested.
The deputy also emphasized that this would demonstrate to the people that the National Assembly is making laws for the people and for society, creating a safe environment.
She proposed adding the death penalty as the highest punishment, instead of life imprisonment, for cases of producing and trading counterfeit food, especially fake milk and dietary supplements. These acts directly affect the vulnerable in society and the health and trust of the people.
According to Deputy Pham Khanh Phong Lan, we cannot be lenient with this type of crime. It is already difficult to detect, and when it is detected, we struggle to find a way to deal with it appropriately.
Consider removing the death penalty for drug trafficking
Deputy Nguyen Thi Thu Nguyet (Dak Lak delegation) stated that, according to the draft law, the crime of producing and trading counterfeit drugs that cure or prevent diseases may be punished by up to 20 years in prison, life imprisonment, or life imprisonment without parole if the crime results in the death of two or more people.
In the deputy’s opinion, the conditions stipulated for this offense are not commensurate with its nature and the act of committing it and do not demonstrate a deterrent effect on this type of crime in reality. The deputy cited examples of cases where offenders involved in the production and trading of counterfeit drugs have caused numerous problems and left severe consequences for society.
“We should not make concessions for this crime and this type of offender. There must be stipulations that serve as a deterrent. We must resolutely deal with them, for if we make concessions, we will inadvertently aid in the mass murder of people and harm the community,” the deputy emphasized.
Deputy Nguyen Thi Thu Nguyet. (Photo: Quochoi.vn)
The deputy suggested that the stipulation be revised so that causing death is sufficient to apply this punishment, rather than requiring the death of two or more people.
Regarding the removal of the death penalty and its replacement with life imprisonment without parole for eight crimes, the deputy believed that the removal of the death penalty for illegal drug transportation should be reconsidered.
The act of illegally transporting drugs is a critical link in the chain of drug production, trading, and transportation. It is also a link that increases and gives rise to drug-related crimes. The deputy expressed concern that removing the death penalty could create legal loopholes and lead to an increase in drug-related crimes in the future.
Agreeing with the removal of the death penalty for certain crimes, Deputy Nguyen Hai Trung (Hanoi delegation) suggested that for the crime of Illegally Transporting Drugs, it should be considered carefully. According to the deputy, many people in the mountainous provinces are struggling financially and may turn to drug transportation across borders as a means of income.
“What if someone transports tons of drugs?” Mr. Trung asked, suggesting that the death penalty should be maintained for this offense but with differentiation according to the severity of the crime.
MP: Asset Recovery from Truong My Lan Case Could Fund 50% of the North-South High-Speed Rail Project
“Take the Truong My Lan case involving SCB, for instance, where the estimated losses ran into trillions of dong. If we could recover the massive assets from this case, we would’ve had the means to construct 50% of the high-speed North-South railway line,” Mr. Hoa emphasized.
“Citing the Zhang Meilan case, delegates argued against abolishing the death penalty for embezzlement.”
“Regarding the SCB Bank case, where the People’s Procuracy proposed the death sentence for Truong My Lan, her family paid for reparations a few days later to redeem her…” as stated by Delegate Pham Van Hoa.
Crafting and Trading Counterfeit Medicines: A Heinous Act of Mass Murder
“The severe consequences of counterfeit medicine and vaccine production and trafficking cannot be overstated. We must take a firm stand against these heinous crimes. To deter such despicable acts, lawmakers are proposing the harshest penalties, including the death sentence, for those found guilty of producing and trading fake food products, particularly fake milk and supplements.”
Unlocking Investment and Innovation: Congress Proposes Sweeping Reforms to Seven Laws.
The draft law to amend seven key laws is currently being discussed by the National Assembly to unlock development resources, promote digital transformation, improve the investment environment, and delegate more effective management.
Unveiling Corruption: Over 1,000 Offenders Exposed in Vietnam’s War on Misconduct
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In an official statement, Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang revealed that in a span of seven months, authorities identified 512 cases of corruption involving 1,057 individuals. This is a testament to the ongoing efforts to combat corruption and uphold transparency in Vietnam.
