Vietnam Urged to Sign Int’l Conventions on Extraditing Environmental Criminals

The Vietnamese government has required its ministry of police to promote the signing of international conventions on extradition of environmental criminals, the government said on its website July 13. The move is aimed to tighten control over environmental violations caused by a number of foreign firms recently, the government said. The government has also released a decree on the completion of legal framework against environmental crimes in a bid to reduce the rising violation cases that have left serious impacts on local environment. Under the degree, the specialized forces will be well-equipped to impose urgent measures like halting operation of the violated firms, sealing or seizing equipment, assets and means of violation. The country will pay expenses for domestic and foreign training courses on environmental protection. Environmental officials will be favored bonus and higher ranks for contributions in this field, the decree noted. The decree will take effects in September 1. Local media has reported many serious environmental pollutions cases which were caused by foreign firms like Taiwan-invested Vedan and Tung Kuang, blaming the situation for the country’s loosen legal framework.