Vietnamese Worried about New Rule Allowing Police to Search, Seize Properties

Security forces suppress peaceful demonstrators in Ho Chi Minh City

Security forces suppress peaceful demonstrators in Ho Chi Minh City

Constitution is the highest legal document for the country and other legal documents must comply with it, said Legislator Le Van Cuong

by Vu Quoc Ngu, Feb 3, 2016

The recent circular of Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security which will empower the police force to expropriate properties of citizens, including their vehicles and communication devices, has triggered widespread concerns, according to the state media.

Mr. Le Van Cuong, member of the country’s legislative body National Assembly, said the ministry needs to build specific regulations for the implementation of its Circular 01 to avoid police abuse.

Criminals may also use the circular to seize properties of citizens, he said.

Before implementing the circular, the ministry should rethink in a bid to ensure the right of citizens for their property which is enshrined in the country’s Constitution 2013, Mr. Cuong noted, adding the Constitution is the highest legal document for the country and other legal documents must comply with it.

Last month, the ministry also issued a circular requesting drivers to purchase fire distinguishers for their vehicles. The regulation met strong protest of car owners while experts said fire distinguishers may cause harm to cars since they easily detonate at high temperature.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Legal Normative Document Post-Review under the Ministry of Justice said it are checking Circular 01 to find whether it violates the country’s Constitution.

Major General Tran The Quan, deputy head of the Department of Legal and Legal Administrative Reform said only the minister of Public Security and chairmen of the provincial People’s Committee can grant the right of expropriation for policemen in specific cases which are related to national security.