The amended Penal Code was passed on Nov 27th and it removes death penalty for 7 serious crimes. Participants at the event highly appreciated the changes in terms of protecting and upholding human rights.
Reducing the death penalty was among 200 recommendations for Vietnam at the UPR or Universal Periodic Review. The Universal Periodic Review is a mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council to improve the human rights of UN member states.
Among the 227 recommendations for Vietnam, 2 to 3 recommendations are on reducing the number of crimes punishable by death. The new Penal Code shows our commitment in generally promoting humane provisions.
Vietnam’s first penal code in 1985 had 44 crimes punishable by death. This figure was decreased to 15 in the new Penal Code. Also according to the new regulation, the death penalty will not apply to pregnant women, women with children under the age of 36 months or people aged over 75. The new Penal Code will take effect starting from July, 2016.
