By Xinhua,
Hanoi : Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security has proposed abolishing death penalty on 12 crimes, local newspaper Vietnam News reported Tuesday.
The 12 crimes include appropriating property by fraud; smuggling; producing and trading fake goods and medical products; being involved in producing, storing and circulating counterfeit money, bonds and checks; organizing the illegal use of drugs; hijacking planes or ships; corruption; taking and giving bribes; destroying army weapons or technical equipment; being involved in an invasion; anti-human crimes, and those convicted of war crimes.
The proposal suggests that Article 35 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates the death penalty for certain felonies, be amended to apply only those committing the most heinous crimes and people considered to be a serious danger to the community and the nation’s security.
In 1985, the death penalty was applied to 29 crimes. After amendments and supplements in 1989, 1991 and 1992, the number of charges subject to the death penalty rose to 44. In 1999, it decreased to 29.
Vietnam sentenced 116 criminals to death in 2006, and 95 in 2007.
Now, 64 countries around the world retain the death penalty, the newspaper said.