NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung makes opening remarks at the 41st session of the 13th NA Standing Committee (Source: VNA)The 41st session of the 13th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee opened in Hanoi on September 14, during which legislators are scheduled to debate several bills and laws.
During the morning session of the first working day, legislators looked into the draft revised Penal Code – a leading draft law to be presented to the next meeting of the legislature, focusing on the supplementation of new charges and the removal of the death penalty in some cases.
In this regard, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung approved the abolishment of the death penalty on criminals aged 75 and above due to humanitarian and international integration reasons, noting serious criminals will still have to face life imprisonment.
NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu said most opinions agreed to remove the penalty for women who are nursing under-36-month-old children, lengthen other sentences as opposed to the death penalty and reduce punishments on some crimes.
However, they stressed the need to carefully consider removing the death penalty on war crimes such as genocide.
Later on the same day, the committee heard a report on the outcomes of Vietnam’s economic integration since joining the World Trade Organisation.
Other draft documents to be debated at the session include the amended Law on Pharmacy, Law on Planning, Law on Press (revised), Law on Association, Law on Administrative Decisions, Law on Export and Import Duties (amended) and Law on Professional Soldiers and National Defence Workers.
Legislators will also discuss the draft ordinance on training a number of judicial positions and the issuance of a decree on medical equipment management.-VNA
