Add a "firewall" in preventing and fighting corruption

“Cadres are the root of all work”, “success or failure depends on good or bad cadres”. President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings have always been the guiding principle for Party building work. This is even more true, the red thread running through the work of preventing and combating corruption and negativity; especially for cadres and party members who exercise power and do the work of preventing and combating corruption.

In recent times, the fight against, prevention and handling of corruption has been carried out by our Party, State and people in an increasingly synchronous, drastic and effective manner. Many strong measures with strict sanctions in handling corruption in areas "prone to corruption and negativity" have been supported by the people.

Most recently, on behalf of the Politburo, Standing member of the Secretariat Truong Thi Mai signed and issued Regulation 132-QD/TW (Regulation 132) on controlling power, preventing and combating corruption and negativity in investigation, prosecution, trial and execution of sentences.

Thus, together with Regulation 131-QD/TW on controlling power, preventing corruption and negativity in inspection, supervision, enforcement of party discipline and in inspection and auditing activities; the fight against corruption will have another sharp tool in the fight against "internal invaders" and the fight against "inborn defects of power".

According to Regulation 132, the control of power, prevention of corruption and negativity in investigation, prosecution, trial (litigation activities) and execution of judgments is based on the principle of ensuring the centralized, unified, strict and comprehensive leadership and direction of the Party; the supervision of agencies and elected representatives, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, law enforcement agencies, socio-political organizations and the people over litigation, execution of judgments and other related activities according to the Party's regulations and the State's laws.

In particular, ensure that all power is strictly controlled by mechanisms and bound by responsibilities. With power comes responsibility; the higher the power, the greater the responsibility.

From there, promptly detect, prevent and strictly handle all violations, abuse of position and power, abuse of power, corruption, and negativity in litigation, execution of judgments and other related activities, without forbidden areas or exceptions.

Regulation 132 also specifies 28 acts of taking advantage of, abusing positions and powers, abusing power, corruption, and negativity in litigation and execution activities such as: Leading, directing, advising, and issuing documents contrary to the Party's policies and regulations and the State's laws; Covering up, condoning, assisting, and improperly handling violations, taking advantage of, abusing positions and powers, abusing power, corruption, and negativity in litigation and execution activities and other related activities; Directing and forcing subordinates to conceal, not report, report falsely, not implement or implement incorrectly regulations and professional procedures leading to incorrect results of handling; Concealing, distorting, omitting, leaking information about crimes or falsifying records, documents, and destroying evidence and material evidence illegally.

Receiving gifts in any form to violate Party regulations and State laws; giving gifts to influence or cause harm to competent persons in litigation, execution of judgments and other related activities to distort the results of handling information about crimes... is also an act of taking advantage of and abusing one's position.

Not only does it regulate and have a positive impact on the operation of the system of prosecution and enforcement agencies, Regulation 132 also has a direct impact on the practice and activities of lawyers. Acts of illegally obstructing the activities of defense attorneys and those protecting the legitimate rights and interests of victims and litigants will also be strictly handled according to the provisions of law.

In addition, this regulation also sets out the responsibilities of Party committees and organizations in controlling power and preventing corruption and negativity. Accordingly, Party committees and organizations that allow violations, abuse of position and power, abuse of power, corruption and negativity within the scope of responsibility and authority of leadership and direction shall be handled according to Party regulations.

The heads of Party committees, Party organizations, agencies, organizations and units will be considered for increased responsibility in cases where violations, abuse of position and power, abuse of power, corruption and negativity are discovered without applying necessary measures within their authority to promptly prevent, handle and remedy the consequences of violations or failure to promptly report according to Party regulations and State laws.

With specific and detailed regulations, Regulation 132 will be one of the effective tools to control power, especially control power when performing tasks and powers of agencies, organizations and individuals in judicial activities as well as in preventing and combating corruption and negativity in general. Because when handling cases and incidents, including corruption cases, judicial agencies and officials are also agencies and individuals fighting corruption. To effectively fight corruption, officials who go (do) anti-corruption work must be clean, must be honest, must perform their duties and tasks properly, as General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong once said.

These regulations will also contribute to building a clean prosecution apparatus; preventing corruption and negativity in places where justice is enforced early and from afar, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the people.

Every cadre, party member, and person working in the judicial sector should also look at it to admonish themselves, self-reflect, self-correct, and raise their spirit and responsibility in performing their duties. In particular, the reception and handling of information about crimes, prosecution, investigation, prosecution, and trial of criminal cases; settlement of administrative cases and civil cases; consideration and decision on the application of administrative measures in court; and enforcement of judgments must all be carried out publicly, objectively, and transparently.

Only when justice is enforced with a "clear mind and pure heart" can cadres and party members working in the fields of investigation, prosecution, trial, and execution of sentences be worthy of the people's trust and worthy of being the guardians of the scales of justice.