Announcement of Resolution guiding the handling of acts related to illegal exploitation and trading of aquatic products

On the afternoon of June 12, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) held a ceremony to announce Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP "Guiding the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading, and transportation of aquatic products".

Comrade Nguyen Hoa Binh - Member of the Politburo , Secretary of the Party Committee, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court and Comrade Tran Luu Quang - Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister attended and directed the ceremony.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Nguyen Hoa Binh attended and directed the ceremony. (Photo: TH)

According to Permanent Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Nguyen Tri Tue, the promulgation of Resolution No. 04 will contribute to removing difficulties and obstacles in handling acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products, thereby improving the effectiveness of the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, contributing to the sustainable development of the fisheries industry.

Accordingly, this Resolution consists of 11 articles, guiding the application of 10 articles of the Penal Code related to the following acts: exiting and entering the country to illegally exploit aquatic resources; protecting aquatic resources; obstructing or disrupting the operation of computer networks and telecommunications networks to illegally exploit aquatic resources; and infringement in the field of aquatic products trade.

This Resolution is an important legal basis for competent agencies, organizations and individuals in the political system at the Central level and 28 coastal provinces and cities to propagate and disseminate to organizations and individuals involved in the exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated exploitation of aquatic products.

Permanent Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Nguyen Tri Tue introduced the Resolution at the announcement ceremony. (Photo: TH)

At the same time, the Resolution is also a legal basis for agencies to conduct proceedings to strictly handle cases of brokerage and collusion to bring Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters, and to legalize documents for seafood shipments.

The Resolution was adopted by the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court on June 12, 2024 and took effect from August 1, 2024.

Previously, on April 10, 2024, the Secretariat issued Directive No. 32-CT/TW on strengthening the Party's leadership in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and sustainable development of the fisheries sector, in which it requested the Party Committee of the Supreme People's Court to lead, direct, and closely coordinate with relevant ministries, branches, and localities in organizing and implementing the Directive to "timely investigate, prosecute, and strictly try cases of brokerage and collusion to bring Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen to illegally exploit in foreign waters, legalize documents for export shipments"; "urgently review and complete legal policies, and supplement sanctions to handle violations". At the same time, in Resolution No. 52/NQ-CP dated April 22, 2024 of the Government "recommends the Supreme People's Court to review and guide the unified application of the provisions of the Penal Code in handling acts related to illegal fishing in foreign waters".

In order to promptly resolve the above difficulties and obstacles, ensure the correct and consistent application of the provisions of the Penal Code as well as accompany the Vietnamese Government in removing the "Yellow Card" warning, not to affect the sustainable development of the fisheries sector and the livelihoods of coastal fishermen, reducing the prestige, position and image of the country; implementing the provisions of Clause 2, Article 3 of Resolution No. 41/2017/QH14 dated June 20, 2017 of the National Assembly, the Council of Judges of the Supreme People's Court issued Resolution No. 04/2024/NQ-HDTP "Guiding the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products".

Comrade Nguyen Hoa Binh, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court delivered a speech directing the ceremony. (Photo: TH)

Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Nguyen Hoa Binh hoped that after the Resolution "Guiding the application of a number of provisions of the Penal Code on criminal prosecution for acts related to illegal exploitation, trading and transportation of aquatic products" is announced, press agencies will widely communicate the Resolution so that it can be put into practice, contributing to helping people raise awareness of illegal acts so as not to violate them.

In response to some concerns about whether the handling mentioned in the Resolution will affect the fishing industry or not, the Chief Justice affirmed that the Resolution was created with the goal of sustainable development, to ensure the best interests of fishermen, the purpose is to protect fishermen, so that fishermen's products can be sold at the highest price, not only domestically but also abroad./.

 

Source: https://dangcongsan.vn/phap-luat/cong-bo-nghi-quyet-huong-dan-xu-ly-voi-nhung-hanh-vi-lien-quan-den-khai-thac-mua-ban-trai-phep-thuy-san-667116.html