Death penalty discussed

Vietnam's deputy FM Le Van Bang defended his country's use of the death penalty as necessary, during a three-day Hanoi conference co-sponsored by Vietnam's Foreign Ministry and the European Union. As reported by Xinhua, Bang "said the death penalty is applicable to special criminal cases with the aim of preventing and admonishing crimes, but not for those criminals who are juveniles, pregnant women or women nurturing under-three children." However, the Justice and Public Security ministries are considering changing the method of execution, currently carried out by firing squad. At least 70 people have been executed in Vietnam this year. (Xinhuanet, Nov. 24, AFP, Borneo Bulletin Nov. 25).