Conference discusses amendments to 2015 Penal Code

The National Assembly Standing Committee (NASC) held a conference, in Hanoi on May 27, to discuss the draft law amending and supplementing certain articles of Penal Code No. 100/2015/QH13.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan speaks at the conference.

The conference was presided over by NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

The Code, approved by the 13th NA in 2015, was due to come into effect at the beginning of July, 2016. However, its implementation, and that of various other related laws, was delayed after a string of errors, including regulations that were not realistically applicable, were discovered.

The proposed draft law aims to revise all technical errors and inapplicable regulations,found within the 2015 Penal Code, so as to ensure the consistency and logic of its regulations and the legal system, whilst protecting the rights and legitimate interests of organisations and individuals.

Discussion at the conference focused on the scope of amendments to the code and the scope of the criminal responsibility of children aged from 14 to16.

Given the recent trend of young offenders, some deputies suggested retaining the current regulation, which provides penal liability for juvenile offenders who commit what are considered serious or very seriouscrimes.

Article 12 of the Penal Code 2015, passed by the 13th NA, regulates that any person from 14 to 16, while still legally a child, will be held responsible for criminal charges for serious crimes, including rape, deliberately injuring people or kidnapping.

Attention was also paid to proposals on the amendment of various articles on the preparation to commit a crime, hiding a known criminal and the failure to report such criminals.

(Source: NDO)