Zhang Dejiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and other Chinese officials attend the sitting (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A Chinese high-ranking delegation led by Zhang Dejiang, member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, attended as observers a sitting of the 14th National Assembly’s second session in Hanoi on November 10.
In her welcome speech, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said the visit is of significance to further deepening traditional friendship and political trust between the two Parties, States and people of Vietnam and China, as well as promoting cooperation between the two legislatures.
While debating the revised draft law on judicial assistance, NA deputies emphasised the need to adopt the law to overcome limitations and shortcomings in judicial assistance activities. They also urged for the effective use of State and social resources to provide necessary legal assistance for vulnerable people and policy beneficiaries.
Deputy Cao Thi Xuan from the central province of Thanh Hoa suggested that legal assistance service should cover 16-18 year-old people, which is in line with the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and Vietnam’s issued laws and codes.
Sharing the same view, deputy Nguyen Thi Mai Hoa from the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap said the draft revisions should be expanded to cover children and women in accordance with international conventions and Vietnam’s Law on Child Rights and Law on Gender Equality.
Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long said judicial assistance service also attracts public resources if proven qualified, so that the draft law comprises regulations on signing service contracts.
Statistics released by the Supreme People’s Procuracy showed that more than 5,800 juveniles were prosecuted last year, accounting for 5.4 percent of the total number. Up to 93 percent of them are 16-18 years old people.-VNA
