HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Public Security has directed local-level police agencies to intensify their fight against the trade of human infants.

The ministry said human trafficking continues, notably the trading of babies (bringing pregnant women to China to give birth and sell their children), while the detection and handling of such crimes is increasingly challenging. 

The ministry requested police units and localities to focus on giving advice to the Steering Committee for the National Programme on Crime Prevention and Control (Steering Committee 138) at all levels to continue promoting the implementation of the Government’s programme on fighting human trafficking in the 2016 - 20 period. 

It asked for attention on disseminating legal information to the public, especially people from ethnic minority groups and remote areas, and regularly  updating relevant information to keep people alert. 

Police units and localities have been requested to keep a close watch on the trading of children, as well as cross-border human trafficking rings and brokers; and strictly handle any persons involved, especially those related to cases in Kỳ Sơn District in the central province of Nghệ An. 

Police must pay more heed to strengthening management of the entry and exit of citizens, and coordinate with the border guard forces to patrol, control and manage border areas and border gates. 

The ministry also asked relevant agencies to review and remove difficulties in handling violations concerning the trading of fetuses, and promote the implementation of the agreements on mutual legal assistance and cooperation in preventing and controlling human trafficking between Việt Nam and China.

Earlier, as reported by Người Lao Động (The Labourer) newspaper, some pregnant women living in the mountainous districts of Nghệ An Province were taken to China to give birth and then sold babies at the price of VNĐ60-80 million (US$2,600-$3,470).

Regarding this problem, Colonel Nguyễn Hữu Cầu, director of Nghệ An Police Agency, said that the Criminal Code 2015 did not regulate the crime of buying and selling fetuses, so it was hard for investigation and handling.

It was also very difficult for functional forces to fight this kind of crime because the cases occurred in China, he said. — VNS