One, two or none: Vietnam's MPs debate execution methods

A new draft law has proposed the introduction of lethal injection as an additional execution method to death by firing squad, but many legislators feel the country should have only one.

All those given the death penalty are now executed by shooting. Under the new bill discussed a National Assembly session Friday, lethal injection would be used as a new execution method.

It also says the firing squad will be used "in cases that need heavy suppression of crimes, in wartime or state of emergency or when injection is not applicable."

Many legislators expressed their opposition to have 2 concurrent execution methods.

Representative Ngo Minh Hong from Ho Chi Minh City said the draft law allowed the use of both shooting and lethal injection, but the question is which method would be applied to whom.

Duong Ngoc Nguu of Thanh Hoa Province said only one method should be legal to make it fair for everyone. "If both methods are permitted, who will decide on the selection?" he asked.

Deputy Chairwoman of the Judicial Committee Le Thi Nga suggested execution by shooting be replaced completely by lethal injection as the new method is more humane and less stressful for the execution staff.

Some legislators, on the other hand, supported the dual-method system.

Tran Ba Thieu, director of Hai Phong City Police, said it is in fact very stressful for firing squads to carry out an execution although it is their responsibility.

"However, the country is not ready to switch to lethal injections completely," Thieu said, noting it would take some time for execution staff to prepare for the new method.

Truong Hoa Binh, chief justice of the Supreme People's Court, said at present it's necessary to have both execution methods.

"In the current situation lethal injection is a very new method. Meanwhile, we also need to keep the option of execution by firing squad as a strong enough deterrent."

Binh added, however that the final aim must be to abolish the death penalty, which is a global trend.

Newswire VnExpress quoted monk Thich Thanh Tu as saying, "No one want to shoot, that's why there have been many cases of missing the targets.

And injection, it must be done by doctors. An injection to save lives can make them happy, but if it is to kill someone, they will surely be reluctant."

Tu suggested that the death penalty be replaced with life sentence without parole.

Source: Thanh Nien,Nov. 22, 2009

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