6 special protection modes for senior leaders

The draft Law on Security Guards outlines six groups of measures and special protection regimes for the General Secretary, the President, the Chairman of the National Assembly, and the Prime Minister.

The draft Law on Security Guarding was presented to the National Assembly by Minister of Public Security To Lam during the working session on October 31st. According to the draft, security guarding is a special protection service organized and implemented by the state to ensure the absolute safety of those under security.

General To Lam stated that the 2005 Guard Force Ordinance has created an important legal basis for the guard force to effectively perform its assigned tasks, contributing to the protection of the Party and the State, as well as national security and social order and safety.

However, according to the Minister of Public Security, the highest legal document in the field of security is only an ordinance, so its enforcement effectiveness is low and not commensurate with the position, functions, duties, and powers of the security force in the current situation... Meanwhile, the country is in the process of integration, Party and State leaders frequently visit and work in countries around the world; our country also increasingly welcomes delegations of heads of state and international guests, and organizes many important political, economic, and social events.

"Therefore, the demands on security work are becoming increasingly heavy and complex, requiring specific regulations to create a more complete legal basis for security forces to perform their duties, contributing to ensuring security and order in the new situation," said General To Lam.

Minister of Public Security To Lam reads the presentation of the Security Guard Law bill on the morning of October 31. Photo: Giang Huy.

The draft Law on Security Guards dedicates an article to regulating security measures and procedures for high-ranking officials of the Party, State, and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Specifically, for the General Secretary, President, Chairman of the National Assembly, and Prime Minister, the draft Law applies six groups of security measures and procedures. The first is close protection, understood as a security measure undertaken by security officers, conducted regularly and directly to ensure absolute safety in all situations for the protected individual.

The next security measures and procedures include deploying armed security forces to regularly patrol and guard residences and workplaces; checking the security and safety of belongings, items, vehicles, explosives, flammable materials, biological and chemical toxins, and radioactive substances; testing food and water before consumption; and reinforcing security forces and resources when necessary.

In addition, when traveling by car, the General Secretary, President, Chairman of the National Assembly, and Prime Minister are provided with police escorts; when traveling by train, they are provided with private carriages; when traveling by plane, they use dedicated compartments or private aircraft; and when traveling by ship, they use private vessels with escort and protection, and are deployed ahead to assess the situation, conduct surveys, and develop and implement security plans.

The sixth group of security measures consists of other operational measures as stipulated by the Law on Public Security and the Law on National Security.

The National Assembly is expected to discuss the draft Law on Security Guards on November 9th.

According to VNE