Press conference highlights 2026 Presidential Amnesty Decision advancing policies for new-era demands
WVR - The 2026 amnesty decision continues to affirm a consistent viewpoint: Ensuring a tight combination of the strictness of the law with a conditional leniency policy. The consideration for amnesty is conducted cautiously, targeting the right individuals, and is linked to the requirement of maintaining discipline, order, and social safety.
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| The 2026 amnesty decision continues to affirm a consistent viewpoint: Ensuring a tight combination of the strictness of the law with a conditional leniency policy. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On the afternoon of April 9, the Office of the President, in coordination with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Supreme People's Court, and other relevant agencies, held a press conference to announce the Presidential Amnesty Decision for 2026.
Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security, Standing Member of the Amnesty Advisory Council; Mr. Can Dinh Tai, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Office, Member of the Amnesty Advisory Council; Mr. Dang Hoang Giang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Member of the Amnesty Advisory Council; Mr. Le Tien, Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, Member of the Amnesty Advisory Council co-chaired the press conference. Also in attendance were representatives from relevant ministries and sectors, along with a large number of journalists from various media outlets.
Ensuring human rights and citizens' rights equitably and fairly
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| Deputy Chief of the Presidential Office, Member of the Amnesty Advisory Council Can Dinh Tai emphasized that the 2026 amnesty decision not only has direct legal value but also carries profound political and social significance, reflecting the inheritance and development of amnesty policies suitable for the demands of the new era. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Office Can Dinh Tai stated that amnesty is an important legal institution stipulated in the Constitution and the Amnesty Law of 2018.
Over many years of implementation, the amnesty work has affirmed itself as a major, consistent policy of our Party and State, clearly demonstrating a lenient, humanitarian policy; contributing to strengthening society's trust in the fairness and strictness of the law; while also affirming Vietnam's commitment to ensuring human rights and citizens' rights equitably and fairly.
According to the Deputy Chief of the Presidential Office, the practice over the years has shown that amnesty rounds have been implemented tightly, in accordance with regulations, achieving positive results across many aspects, including political, legal, social, and foreign affairs.
Notably, in 2025, more than 22,000 prisoners were granted amnesty ahead of schedule, yet political security and social order were firmly maintained. Most of those granted amnesty quickly stabilized their lives, reintegrated into the community, and were supported by the public and recognized by international opinion.
Mr. Can Dinh Tai also emphasized that 2026 is a year of special significance, marking a transition to a new development phase for the country, associated with many strategically significant political events: The success of the 14th National Congress of the Party; the election of the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term; along with the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.
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| Overview of the press conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
In this context, at the Government's proposal, on April 7, General Secretary and President To Lam signed Decision No. 457 on the 2026 amnesty. This decision not only has direct legal value but also carries profound political and social significance, reflecting the inheritance and development of amnesty policies suitable for the demands of the new era.
“The 2026 amnesty decision continues to affirm a consistent viewpoint: Ensuring a tight combination of the strictness of the law with a conditional leniency policy. The consideration for amnesty is conducted cautiously, targeting the right individuals, and is linked to the requirement of maintaining discipline, order, and social safety,” Deputy Chief of the Presidential Office Can Dinh Tai pointed out.
Notably, the issuance of the Amnesty Decision on the first working day of the President's 2026-2031 term has consistently demonstrated our Party and State's viewpoint: Adhering to the principle of the rule of law, maintaining discipline and state authority, while responsibly implementing humanitarian policies, closely linked to social management requirements; ensuring a balance between the strictness of the law and the humanity in policy formulation and implementation, aiming for social stability and sustainable national development.
The Humanitarian and tolerant tradition of the Vietnamese nation
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| Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security, Standing Member of the Amnesty Advisory Council, answers questions from journalists. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Answering a question from a journalist from Government Electronic Newspaper about the purpose and significance of the 2026 amnesty, as well as the results of implementing the Prime Minister's Decision on credit for those who have completed their prison sentences recently, Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Public Security, Standing Member of the Amnesty Advisory Council, stated that the Amnesty Law stipulates that amnesty is a special leniency of the State decided by the President to pardon prisoners ahead of schedule for those serving fixed-term sentences, life sentences reduced to fixed-term sentences on major national events and holidays.
According to Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen, the significance and purpose of the amnesty include:
Firstly, continuing to affirm and demonstrate the humanitarian and tolerant tradition of the Vietnamese nation and the lenient policy of the Party and State towards those sentenced to imprisonment who have shown progress in rehabilitation.
Secondly, encouraging those serving prison sentences to repent, actively study, and work well in rehabilitation to soon benefit from the leniency policy and become useful members of society.
Thirdly, this amnesty round is associated with major events of 2026, such as celebrating the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30); celebrating the success of the 14th National Congress of the Party and the election of the 16th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term.
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| Journalist from Government Electronic Newspaper asks a question. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Regarding the credit results for those who have completed their prison sentences, Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen affirmed that to help those who have completed their prison sentences reintegrate into the community, the Ministry of Public Security advised the Prime Minister to sign Decision No. 22 on August 17, 2023, regarding credit for those who have completed their prison sentences.
Recently, the Ministry of Public Security also held a conference to summarize five years of implementing Government Decree 49 and two years of implementing the Prime Minister's Decision 22.
Statistics as of April 2026 show that nearly 15,000 people granted amnesty and those who have completed their prison sentences have received loans; the total loan amount reached nearly 1,300 billion VND for investment in production, business, and stable livelihood development.
"We consider this a very humane policy, making an important contribution to community reintegration, helping those who have made mistakes to have financial support to avoid reoffending. Currently, we are coordinating with the Social Policy Bank and other agencies to study increasing the loan amount and creating more favorable conditions for the people," Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen emphasized.
In addition, addressing questions from a journalist from People's Court Magazine, Senior Lieutenant General Le Van Tuyen also highlighted the new points and additions of the 2026 amnesty decision compared to 2025; while affirming that these additions aim to better classify individuals not eligible for amnesty, helping detention facilities to implement strictly and accurately from the dossier preparation stage.
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| Journalist from People's Court Magazine asks about the new points of the 2026 amnesty decision compared to 2025. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
