Correcting the search for martyrs' graves using psychic methods

(Official Dispatch No. 4486/UBND-VX dated August 4, 2011 of Nghe An Provincial People's Committee)

(Baonghean) - In order to promptly rectify the management of the sites for searching for martyrs' graves using psychic methods, and at the same time effectively carry out state management in the area, ensuring the legitimate rights of martyrs' relatives who wish to search for martyrs' remains, on August 4, 2011, Nghe An Provincial People's Committee issued Official Dispatch 4486/UBND-VX requesting the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, Provincial Police, Provincial Military Command, Department of Information and Communications and People's Committees of districts, cities and towns to perform the following tasks:

1. Directing the promotion of propaganda and explanation so that people understand that the search for martyrs' remains by psychic methods must be verified by scientific methods (DNA testing) to have accurate results. People's Committees of districts, cities and towns must strengthen state management (guidance, monitoring, supervision, and inspection of law enforcement) for operating locations, not allowing more locations to search for martyrs' graves by psychic methods; promptly detecting, preventing and strictly handling according to the provisions of law for cases of violations (regarding prices, environmental sanitation, public order, fire prevention and fighting, etc.), providing false information, and impersonating psychics to gain illegal profits.

2. For martyrs' graves currently managed in martyrs' cemeteries but lacking information, and relatives of martyrs self-identify through psychics and wish to relocate: People's Committees of districts, cities and towns report to the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs for synthesis, submit to the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs (through the Department of Meritorious People) for guidance on identifying remains through genetic technology (DNA). The results of the assessment are the basis for deciding to allow the relocation of remains according to the wishes of the martyrs' relatives.

3. For remains located outside the martyrs' cemetery that are searched for by relatives of martyrs through psychic methods and requested to be collected in martyrs' cemeteries: The People's Committees of districts, cities and towns that receive the martyrs' remains shall report to the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs to synthesize and submit to the Ministry of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs (through the Department of Meritorious People) for guidance on identifying the martyrs' remains through genetic technology (DNA). Based on the results of the assessment, the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs shall guide the burial and installation of stele with the martyrs' names. Do not accept or bring to the martyrs' cemetery cases that do not have scientific evidence to prove that they are martyrs' remains.