Directive No. 37/2004/CT-TTg On continuing to implement Resolution No. 09/1998/NQ-CP and the National Program on Crime Prevention and Control by the Government until 2010

DIRECTIVE OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Regarding the continued implementation of Resolution No. 09/1998/NQ-CP

and the National Program on Crime Prevention and Control by the Government

until 2010 

On July 31, 1998, the Government issued Resolution No. 09/1998/NQ-CP on strengthening crime prevention and control work in the new situation; the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 138/1998/QĐ-TTg approving the National Program on Crime Prevention and Control. After five years of implementing these documents, we have achieved significant results: gradually raising the awareness of the whole society about the responsibility for fighting crime; establishing a synchronized coordination mechanism, fully utilizing the combined strength of the political system and various social strata participating in crime prevention and control; gradually curbing the increase of various types of crimes, reducing some serious crimes; maintaining political security and social order and safety, making important contributions to the country's economic and social development.

However, the situation of crime remains complex across all areas of criminal, economic, drug-related offenses, and new types of crimes such as exploiting information technology, using fake credit cards to defraud money through bank ATMs... In addition, the world and regional situation in the coming time will continue to be complex and unpredictable. While we have many favorable conditions and opportunities for economic and social development, we also face many major challenges and difficulties that affect domestic security and order.

To continue effectively implementing Resolution No. 09/CP and the National Program on Crime Prevention and Control until 2010, the Prime Minister requests the Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government, Chairmen of provincial and municipal People's Committees directly under the central government to focus on implementing the following major goals, requirements, and policies and measures:

I. ON GOALS AND REQUIREMENTS

1. Maintaining political security and social order and safety in all situations, creating a stable social environment to serve the country's economic and social development, improving the material and spiritual life of the people. Maintaining legal discipline and the strictness of socialist rule of law.

2. Fully utilizing the combined strength of the political system, under the direct and comprehensive leadership of Party committees at all levels, the management and operation of authorities at all levels, and the proactive advisory role of the People's Public Security force, making crime prevention and control work become a regular task of all levels, sectors, mass organizations, agencies, units, and localities.

3. Continuing to curb the increase in crime, with each subsequent year showing a reduction compared to the previous year, particularly significantly reducing serious crimes such as organized transnational crimes, international crimes, crimes against children, trafficking in women, drug-related crimes, corruption, smuggling, commercial fraud, high-tech crimes...

II. POLICIES AND MEASURES

1. Continuing to implement Resolution No. 09/CP and the National Program on Crime Prevention and Control in conjunction with the tasks of economic and social development of ministries, sectors, units, and localities; combining with the implementation of Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW dated January 2, 2002 of the Politburo on key tasks of judicial work in the near future and Resolution of the 8th Plenary Session of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (9th tenure) on the Strategy for National Defense in the New Situation.

2. Enhancing the management and operational capacity of ministries, sectors, and localities, especially in areas such as land, basic construction investment, import and export, budget management..., strengthening inspections and audits to address weaknesses and deficiencies in economic and social management mechanisms and policies, preventing criminals from taking advantage, minimizing corruption and negative practices. Improving coordination regulations, continuing to effectively implement joint resolutions and action programs signed between ministries, sectors, and mass organizations in crime prevention and control.

3. Strengthening propaganda on Resolution No. 09/CP and the National Program on Crime Prevention and Control so that the public fully understands and voluntarily fulfills their rights and obligations in fighting crime, ensuring national security and social order and safety; promptly recognizing and promoting good examples and advanced models in the nationwide movement to prevent and control crime.

4. Increasing personnel, equipment, and funding for law enforcement agencies, building these agencies truly clean and strong to ensure effective implementation of the National Program on Crime Prevention and Control.

5. Enhancing the effectiveness of the grassroots political system, first and foremost enhancing the leadership role of the Party organization, the management efficiency of the authority, the active participation of mass organizations at commune, ward, town levels, and the positive advisory role of commune, ward, town police. Continuing to build and promote exemplary models in crime prevention and control, especially self-management and self-protection models by the people. Implementing well the democratic regulations at the grassroots level, creating conditions for the people to participate in crime prevention and control as a genuine mass movement, by the people, and for the people.

6. Continue to implement four projects under the Program, namely: "Launching a nationwide campaign for the prevention, detection, and reporting of criminal offenses; reforming and educating offenders within families and communities"; "Developing and perfecting laws on crime prevention and combating, enhancing legal education and citizens' responsibility for maintaining public security"; "Struggling against organized crimes, dangerous criminal offenses, and international crimes"; "Struggling against offenses harming children and juvenile delinquency". Study and develop proposals to supplement certain projects and programs aimed at addressing newly emerging urgent issues related to public security and improving the capacity for crime prevention and combating. Strengthen research in criminology and science of crime prevention and combating. Enhance the quality of work in grasping situations and forecasting crime trends during the process of international economic integration.

7. Use comprehensive measures for educational prevention, suppression, crackdown, prosecution, and timely trial of serious crimes such as: organized crimes, drug-related crimes, corruption, smuggling, dangerous criminal offenses, offenses harming children, etc. Continue to launch campaigns to crack down on crimes along key routes and areas; apprehend fugitives; expand drug rehabilitation centers and vocational training centers after rehabilitation. Increase the rate of investigation, discovery, and strict handling of crimes.

8. Continue to supplement and improve relevant legal documents related to crime prevention and combating efforts to ensure effective implementation of the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Law on Criminal Investigation Organization.

9. Strengthen international cooperation in crime prevention and combating, especially with INTERPOL, ASEANAPOL, neighboring countries, ASEAN region, and traditional partner countries. Effectively implement mutual legal assistance treaties and international cooperation agreements in crime prevention and combating signed with these countries and international organizations to proactively prevent and effectively combat transnational and international crimes, including terrorism.

III. IMPLEMENTATION

1. Ministries, sectors, provincial people's committees shall complete and enhance the effectiveness of the National Steering Committee for Crime Prevention and Combating. Implement the National Program on Crime Prevention and Combating according to the management mechanism and program management approved by the Prime Minister's Decision No. 59/2004/QD-TTg dated April 9, 2004.

2. Based on the responsibilities assigned in Resolution No. 09/CP, the National Program on Crime Prevention and Combating, and the requirements set forth in this Directive, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and provincial people's committees shall develop specific plans to guide the implementation of Resolution No. 09/CP and the National Program on Crime Prevention and Combating until 2010, and submit them to the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee 138/CP for consolidation and reporting to the Prime Minister.

3. Request the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and political-social organizations, members of the Front, to continue to closely cooperate with relevant authorities and levels of government in mobilizing the people, members to participate in crime prevention and combating activities in accordance with Resolution No. 09/CP and the National Program on Crime Prevention and Combating until 2010.

4. Request the Supreme People's Procuracy and the Supreme People's Court to develop plans to closely coordinate with law enforcement agencies under the Government to strengthen investigative, prosecutorial, and judicial work on crimes in a timely and strict manner, and effectively implement Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW dated January 2, 2002 of the Politburo on key issues in judicial work in the near future.

5. In the short term from now until the end of 2005:

a) The Ministry of Public Security shall take the lead and coordinate with other ministries and sectors to develop and submit to the Government for approval supplementary projects:

Preventing and combating high-tech crimes.

Enhancing the capacity for education and vocational training for prisoners in detention facilities.

Establishing a criminal information center.

Enhancing the capacity of investigation agencies at all levels in investigating and solving economic, criminal, and drug-related cases.

b) Units and localities shall organize the widespread application of advanced models and exemplary practices that have proven highly effective in crime prevention and combating.

c) Request the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, the Ministries of Justice and Public Security to organize the evaluation of the projects under the Program, develop plans to continue implementation in the period 2006-2010; review and draw lessons from the implementation of joint resolutions and coordinated action programs between ministries and sectors in crime prevention and combating; implement the action program to prevent and combat trafficking in women and children.

d) The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to study and propose the Government to issue regulations on benefits and policies for those who have made contributions, been injured, or sacrificed in crime prevention and combating. The Ministry of Public Security shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to develop a protection program for informants, witnesses, and victims in criminal cases.

6. Every quarter and annually, ministries, sectors, provincial people's committees shall report their results to the National Steering Committee for Crime Prevention and Combating of the Government (through the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee 138/CP) for consolidation and reporting to the Government.

7. The Ministry of Public Security shall be responsible for monitoring, urging, inspecting, summarizing the situation, and regularly reporting to the Prime Minister on the results of implementing this Directive./.