The Central Advisory Council on Amnesty (CACA) convened a meeting in Hà Nội on Saturday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Central Advisory Council on Amnesty (CACA) convened a meeting in Hà Nội on Saturday under the chair of Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình to discuss the national amnesty plan for the upcoming National Day (September 2).

President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc on June 30 issued a decision on amnesty for prisoners in 2021, on the occasion of the National Day, and the establishment of the CACA with Deputy Prime Minister Bình as its head.

At the meeting, a Ministry of Public Security representative delivered a report specifying this year’s plan and guidelines on the implementation of the amnesty, which targets inmates serving definite terms, those with reduced life sentences and those with suspended sentences.

In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minster Bình stressed that amnesty work must ensure transparency, fairness and particularly safety against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak.

He also requested local authorities to offer assistance to those released from prisons to help them reintegrate into society.

The Ministry of Public Security should work with local authorities and agencies to manage freed prisoners and help them return to normal life, particularly at such a difficult time caused by COVID-19, the Deputy PM said.

Statistics show the State has granted seven amnesties from 2009 to 2016, benefitting a total of 87,111 inmates. The rate of relapse among amnesty beneficiaries was reportedly at 1.18 per cent during the period. — VNS