There are over 10,000 applications for pardons in 2026.

(NLĐO) - Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc chaired the meeting of the Advisory Council on Amnesty in 2026.

On the afternoon of May 24th, presiding over the meeting to review the dossiers and lists of proposed pardons for 2026, Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc, Chairman of the 2026 Pardon Advisory Council, requested that the review process be conducted publicly, transparently, cautiously, and thoroughly for each specific case.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc delivers a directive speech at the meeting. Photo: VGP

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that a humane and lenient policy towards offenders is a tradition of compassion in the Vietnamese nation. Vietnamese law ensures strictness in handling crimes, especially those who are masterminds, ringleaders, stubborn, and dangerous repeat offenders; while also showing leniency towards those who sincerely confess, repent, and make amends, creating conditions for them to correct their mistakes and reintegrate into society.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, since the National Assembly enacted the Amnesty Law, the State has carried out 12 amnesty rounds for more than 118,000 people. The majority of those granted amnesty have stabilized their lives and engaged in honest work after returning to their localities, with a relatively low recidivism rate. The amnesty work in recent years has ensured political, legal, and diplomatic requirements, receiving public support and positive assessments from international public opinion.

On the occasion of the 51st anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2026), to welcome the 14th National Congress of the Party and the success of the 16th National Assembly elections and the People's Council elections at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, the President of Vietnam issued Decision No. 457 dated April 7, 2026 on amnesty in 2026 and Decision No. 481 dated April 9, 2026 on the establishment of the Amnesty Advisory Council.

To implement these decisions, the Clemency Advisory Council issued specific implementation guidelines. According to government leaders, despite the short preparation time and the large workload involving over 10,000 files, the relevant ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Public Security – the permanent body of the Council – and the Supreme People's Court, promptly implemented the process, ensuring that the clemency review was conducted in accordance with the law, rigorously, and on schedule.

At the meeting, the Clemency Advisory Council reviewed the list of prisoners eligible for clemency, the list of ineligible prisoners, and the files of those whose sentences have been temporarily suspended but who are eligible for clemency as decided by the President.

Major General Nguyen Thanh Truong, Director of the Department of Police for Prison Management, Compulsory Education Facilities, and Juvenile Detention Centers (C10), reports at the meeting. Photo: VGP

The Deputy Prime Minister requested that the Council members focus on thoroughly reviewing each case, ensuring that the review process adheres to the standards and conditions stipulated in the Amnesty Law and the President's decision, and meets the requirements and objectives of this year's amnesty.

Reporting at the meeting, the leaders of the Department of Police for Prison Management, Compulsory Education Facilities, and Juvenile Detention Centers (Ministry of Public Security) stated that inter-agency assessment teams had inspected and evaluated more than 10,000 eligible files for amnesty requests from prisons and detention centers under the Ministry of Public Security, provincial-level police criminal enforcement agencies, and prisons managed by the Ministry of National Defense.

According to this agency, the process of considering and recommending pardons is conducted in a strict, open, democratic, objective, fair, and transparent manner. Files are checked and evaluated at multiple levels with the participation of relevant agencies and the supervision of social organizations and the public.

Representatives from the Ministry of Public Security stated that for the 2026 amnesty program to be effective, all levels, sectors, and localities need to pay more attention to the reintegration of those granted amnesty into the community. This includes strengthening communication efforts to raise awareness among the government, organizations, and the public, avoiding discrimination, and creating conditions for those granted amnesty to overcome feelings of shame and stabilize their lives.

Authorities are also urged to increase support for vocational training, job creation, and loan assistance for those in difficult circumstances in order to reduce recidivism and contribute to ensuring social security and order.

Following the meeting, the Clemency Advisory Council will compile a list of eligible prisoners and submit it to the President for consideration and decision on clemency in accordance with regulations.

From 2009 to 2016, implementing the 2007 Amnesty Law, the State organized 7 amnesty periods, including two in 2009 alone, for 87,097 people. After the 2018 Amnesty Law came into effect, replacing the old law, from 2021 to 2025, the State continued to implement 5 amnesty periods for 31,320 people.

According to statistics, most pardoned individuals have quickly reintegrated into the community, stabilized their lives, and many have become entrepreneurs or actively participated in local social activities. The recidivism rate is very low. In the two amnesty rounds in 2025 alone, only 13 out of a total of 22,089 pardoned individuals have re-offended, representing a rate of 0.06%.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/co-hon-10000-ho-so-xet-dac-xa-nam-2026-19626052418211004.htm