To protect kindness

The incident in Bac Ninh province where two brothers rescued a traffic accident victim but were assaulted to the point of needing emergency hospitalization has sparked public outrage in recent days.

Previously, several similar cases of "doing a favor and getting resentment in return" have occurred. This sad paradox raises the question: how can kindness be protected and spread in everyday life?

Scene of a traffic accident in Nhan Thang commune ( Bac Ninh province). Image cropped from a video clip.

When kindness is hurt

According to verification by authorities in Bac Ninh province, on the night of September 7th, while rescuing victims of a traffic accident, two brothers, Nguyen Duc Vinh and Nguyen Ba Trung, from Nhan Thang commune, Bac Ninh province, were assaulted by the victims' family members, resulting in serious injuries requiring hospitalization. The two individuals directly involved in the assault were Trinh Dinh Luan (born in 1991) and Trinh Dinh Long (born in 1994), both residing in Dai Lai commune, Bac Ninh province. Notably, Trinh Dinh Luan was one of the two victims of the accident. The case is currently under investigation and will be handled strictly according to the law.

Alarmingly, this is not an isolated case, as the paradox of kindness being repaid with ingratitude still exists in society. For example, in 2022, Ms. NTVA, residing in the former Van Don district of Quang Ninh province, and her husband were traveling through the former Ha Long commune when they saw people signaling to stop for help for a traffic accident victim. Without hesitation, the couple took the victim to the hospital.

However, a few days later, the victim's family reported to the police that the couple were the ones who caused the accident. After gathering evidence and reviewing camera footage, the authorities concluded that the couple did not cause the collision but only assisted in taking the victim to the hospital.

On August 22nd, NTL and his friend were having a meal at a friend's house in Truong Long Tay commune, Can Tho city. However, simply for intervening in a conflict between his friend and a group of thugs, NTL was fatally stabbed.

Earlier, another story that went viral on social media on the afternoon of July 29th was about a motorbike repair shop owner on Nguyen Van Khoi Street (Thong Tay Hoi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) who offered free tire inflation to a foreign man's bicycle but was then asked to pay compensation because the tire went flat after the man took the bike home and used it...

The incidents mentioned above have made many people hesitant to help those in danger or distress, fearing they might bring trouble upon themselves.

The law is on the side of the good.

Preventing acts of "repaying kindness with malice" is not only the responsibility of authorities but also the shared responsibility of the entire community. First and foremost, it is necessary to understand that helping and supporting people in dangerous or difficult situations is a commendable act that should be widely promoted. This action is not only morally sound but also legally correct, as Vietnamese law clearly stipulates that failing to help someone in danger while having the means to do so may be a crime, and depending on the specific circumstances, may result in criminal prosecution.

Lawyer Do Phuong Thao (People's Justice Law Firm) stated: "Clause 18, Article 8 of the 2008 Road Traffic Law prohibits the act of 'having the means to help but intentionally failing to assist accident victims.' If an individual abandons a victim, they may be subject to administrative penalties, or even criminal prosecution under Article 132 of the Penal Code."

In fact, in 2023, two drivers in the former provinces of Ha Tinh and Tien Giang were prosecuted for abandoning victims after a collision. This serves as a reminder that indifference is not only immoral but also a violation of the law.

However, to ensure safety when helping those in need, lawyer Do Phuong Thao recommends that people immediately report to the authorities by calling 113, 115, or the nearest commune People's Committee or local police station for official assistance. Along with that, they should encourage many people to participate in helping, because the more witnesses there are, the more transparent the rescue will be, minimizing misunderstandings.

The rescue process should be recorded on video and photographed to serve as important documentation and evidence confirming that the rescuer is not the perpetrator. If the victim's family becomes overly agitated, complicating the situation, maintain distance and wait for law enforcement to arrive instead of confronting them directly.

Public opinion is eagerly awaiting the authorities to clarify and severely punish the thugs who attacked the two brothers who risked their lives to help people involved in an accident in Bac Ninh province. If acts of violence against others go unpunished, faith in justice will waver, and people will be hesitant to do good deeds. If kindness is ignored, the price will be an indifferent society where everyone is afraid to help. Kindness cannot be stolen by aggression or misguided beliefs, and we cannot allow a few bad apples to spoil the bunch, causing the community to turn its back on humanitarian values.

Strict laws and the vigilance of each individual are the shields that ensure noble deeds are always appreciated and protected.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/de-long-tot-duoc-bao-ve-716672.html