Vietnam mulls less crimes punishable by death

[Coventina]

Source: Associated Press

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam, which sends dozens of people to the firing squad each year, might sharply restrict the number of crimes that are punishable by death, state media reported Tuesday.

Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong asked the lawmaking National Assembly on Monday to consider eliminating the death penalty for crimes like embezzlement, bribery and plane hijacking, saying it was "in line with the global trend to limit and abolish the death penalty altogether," the Laborer newspaper reported.

The Justice Ministry proposed reducing the number of crimes subject to the death penalty from 29 to 12, it said. Forty-four crimes were punishable by death in 1999.

Vietnam has been criticized by international human rights organizations for its frequent application of the death penalty.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5izWVMVEs4KIRREPrEsfE_a_P9TBQD9480GT80

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Good news!

[David__77]

1. There is a movement to abolish it ultimately in China and Vietnam.

There seems to be consensus that a certain level of economic development must be met before doing so though.

[Turbineguy]

2. Well, that means Bush

will not like being President there.

[Doctor Cynic]

3. Given that he avoided going there when he was ordered to...

[saigon68]

5. yes the AWOL CHIMPANZZE

"Bring Em On"

[High Plains]

4. Vietnam is one of a handful of nations that kill over drug offenses.

Along with Singapore, Malaysia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, a small number of others.

[wroberts189]

6. If they know they will die... no surrender. Its simple as that. eom