Acting with a clear conscience and fulfilling all responsibilities.

(Baonghean) - On the afternoon of December 5th, during a press conference regarding the Long An Provincial People's Court's decision to temporarily suspend the execution of the death sentence against prisoner Ho Duy Hai just before the scheduled execution, in front of numerous reporters, the Deputy Chief Justice of the Long An Provincial People's Court affirmed: "With the conscience of a judge, even if there is only 0.01% of evidence, we will consider it. If new circumstances are discovered, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuracy will review everything to ensure that the right person is punished for the right crime, and there is no wrongful conviction."

The statement by the Deputy Chief Justice of the Long An Provincial People's Court deeply moved and impressed everyone present at the press conference, as well as those who heard it afterward. The regret stemmed from the fact that if everyone acted with conscience and professional responsibility, considering even a 0.01% basis for wrongful convictions, the number of wrongful convictions would surely decrease significantly. This would mean there wouldn't be people like Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chan, who suffered unjustly in prison for 10 years for a crime considered unforgivable by heaven and earth – murder.And the seven young men from Tran De district, Soc Trang province, did not have to endure the unjust days of "sleeping on thorns and tasting bitterness" in prison with the charge of murder leveled against them by the "authorities."

Broadly speaking, in other areas as well, if all "public servants" worked with the same spirit and attitude as the Deputy Chief Justice of the Long An Provincial People's Court, there would be far fewer issues and problems that we often summarize as "frustrating" or "prominent." It's important to acknowledge the reality that the postponement of execution for death row inmate Ho Duy Hai right before his scheduled execution surprised and shocked many, and has stirred public opinion for the past week. However, this time the "stir" is with a tone of joy, not with the sorrow and indignation seen in some of the egregious wrongful conviction cases that have occurred recently. Nor is it joy over someone narrowly escaping death. This is uncertain; there is no proof, and no responsible agency has yet confirmed that this death row inmate was wrongfully convicted. And if a review reveals no wrongful conviction, the death sentence will still be carried out as the court has pronounced. The joy of society here lies in recognizing the conscience and responsibility of those who hold the scales of justice in the legal field.

Although several years had passed and the deadline had arrived, following appeals from the relatives of the condemned prisoner and several suggestions and petitions regarding questionable and unusual points, a decision was made to postpone the execution for a more careful and accurate review. Human life is precious, and postponing the execution for a thorough and proper review is absolutely necessary. If it is found that there was no injustice, the execution will proceed, ensuring the perpetrator pays the price before the law. However, if it is indeed a miscarriage of justice… Public opinion was enthusiastic, excited, and welcomed this timely decision, full of humanity, responsibility, and professional conscience.

Acting with a clear conscience and fulfilling one's responsibilities – that is what society always needs, not only from officials in public agencies, but also from every Vietnamese citizen at any time. It is essential to live and work with a clear conscience and fulfill one's responsibilities.

Duy Huong