NA debate: Different views on forms of denunciations

ABO/VNA – The discussion of the draft Law on Denunciations (revised) on May 24 as part of the fifth session of the 14th National Assembly saw different views regarding the forms of denunciations as via telephone or email.

A deputy of Nghe An province speaks at the fifth session of the 14th NA on May 24.

While agreeing that the adoption of the law is urgently needed, many disagreed over whether to accept denunciations through phone calls or email.

The deputies who support the expansion of forms of denunciation to fax, email, and phone calls pointed out that the use of information technology has become common in most areas of social life and in State management. They noted that many denunciations of wrongdoings by government officials, public employees and State agencies by means of social networks or other electronic forms, though yet to be officially recognised, have greatly contributed to the fight against corruption, crime, and other law violations.

Meanwhile, those who insist that only two forms of denunciation – in written form and in person – as stipulated under current law, argued that if other forms of denunciation are allowed, it may result in rampant and inaccurate denunciation, causing difficulties for State agencies in processing the denunciations and dealing with denunciators who provide false information.

Another issue that drew great attention during the discussion was the rights and duties of denunciators and officials in charge of handling denunciations.

Deputy Nguyen Van Man of Quang Binh province suggested that there should be punishments for officials who showed irresponsibility or handled denunciations against the law which resulted in material loss or harm the mental health and honour of the denunciator.

Many opinions agreed with the draft law which stipulates in Clause 1 of Article 48 that not only the denunciators but also their spouses, parents and parents in law, adoptive parents, own children and adoptive children are subject to protection under the law.

(Source: NDO)