Directive No. 20/2003/CT-TTg on Strengthening Urgent Measures to Address the Exploitation of War Veterans, Disabled Persons for Transporting and Smuggling Goods Illicitly

DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening Urgent Measures to Address the Exploitation of War Veterans, Disabled Persons for Smuggling and Illicit Trade

In recent years, implementing the Directive of the Government Prime Minister, ministries, sectors, and localities have adopted many positive policies and measures aimed at combating and preventing smuggling, commercial fraud, and counterfeit goods, achieving initial significant results, contributing to protecting production, social order and safety, and consumer rights.

However, recently in some northern provinces such as Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh..., there has appeared a situation where major smugglers exploit war veterans and disabled persons to openly transport large quantities of imported contraband goods to Hanoi or other localities. This action has limited the ability of functional forces to inspect and control, making the already complex situation of smuggling and transporting contraband goods even more complicated, with no effective measures yet implemented to prevent it.

The reasons for the above situation are:

- Propaganda work to persuade the people, especially war veterans and disabled persons, not to participate in smuggling or assist in smuggling is still weak, not conducted regularly, and has very limited effect.

- Ministries, sectors, and local authorities from commune to provincial levels have not effectively carried out inspection and prevention tasks, particularly when smugglers exploit war veterans and disabled persons to openly transport contraband goods. They have not promptly mobilized inspection forces to handle or process cases, or if they do, they lack firmness and thoroughness.

- Some border areas between localities are not strictly managed by functional forces, lacking close cooperation, allowing major smugglers to exploit these areas as storage sites and channels for contraband goods to be distributed elsewhere.

To address these shortcomings and weaknesses and resolve the issue of exploiting war veterans and disabled persons for transporting contraband goods, and to prevent other negative phenomena that may arise, the Government Prime Minister instructs: Heads of ministries, sectors, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities must strictly implement the following specific tasks:

1. People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities.

- Rely on the support and endorsement of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Association of Former Combatants, and mass organizations, while utilizing various media and methods to widely publicize and mobilize war veterans and disabled persons not to participate in smuggling or assist in smuggling.

- Direct all levels of government to strictly fulfill their state management responsibilities. Chairmen of People's Committees at all levels from commune to city bear responsibility before their superiors if war veterans and disabled persons under their jurisdiction participate in smuggling or assist in smuggling.

Require People's Committees of communes and wards to thoroughly understand the situation of war veterans and disabled persons on their territory who are involved in transporting, storing, and selling imported contraband goods, take practical measures to help and mobilize the people to assist war veterans and disabled persons generally, especially those with particularly difficult circumstances, to develop economically and stabilize their lives; rely on organizations and groups to mobilize the people and war veterans to sign commitments not to engage in smuggling or assist in smuggling or not to reoffend for those who have violated the law; mobilize exemplary war veterans to participate in fighting against violators.

2. Information agencies, radio stations, television stations increase the volume and pages dedicated to this issue, highlighting exemplary cases and good deeds of war veterans and disabled persons overcoming difficulties and legitimately becoming wealthy; at the same time, expose poor actions and violations of the law by a few individuals among war veterans and disabled persons to educate and prevent.

3. The Ministry of Public Security directs police forces at all levels to lead together with market management forces and other functional forces to form strong teams, targeting major smugglers, smuggling networks, and groups in areas of distribution and storage of contraband goods, not allowing smugglers to exploit war veterans and disabled persons for transporting and storing contraband goods. Focus on strict inspections and severe handling of individuals falsely claiming to be war veterans using homemade vehicles to participate in transporting contraband goods. Distinguish between major smugglers and drivers or escorts who are war veterans hired to transport goods for merchants to divide and conquer, handle and punish strictly according to the law. Inform local authorities where violators reside for coordinated management and education.

4. The Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs direct military control forces and labor, invalids, and social affairs departments to cooperate and support functional forces in inspecting and handling violators who are war veterans and disabled persons involved in transporting and selling imported contraband goods. Consider temporarily suspending or revoking the title of war veteran for individuals who repeatedly violate the law or commit serious offenses.

5. The Central Steering Committee 127 organize coordination between localities and relevant forces in border areas between provinces.

6. The Ministry of Commerce is responsible for monitoring, urging, and compiling implementation reports to the Government Prime Minister. Lead and coordinate with the Ministries of Public Security, National Defense, Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, political and social organizations, and the People's Committees of the aforementioned provinces and centrally-administered cities to implement comprehensive measures; actively support functional forces to effectively implement this Directive.

This Directive shall take effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette. /