Regulations on anti-terrorism forces in Vietnam

Anti-terrorism forces in Vietnam

Pursuant to Article 14 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013, the anti-terrorism forces include:

- Agencies and units under the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense, which are assigned the anti-terrorism task;

- Other forces mobilized to participate in anti-­terrorism.

Regulations on anti-terrorism forces in Vietnam (Internet image)

Who are anti-terrorism commanders?

Pursuant to Article 15 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013, competent authorities shall decide anti-terrorism commanders in Vietnam.

In case competent authorities have not yet decided anti-terrorism commanders, heads of state agencies, people’s armed units, People’s Committees of localities where terrorism occurs have the duty and power to apply the anti-terrorism measures defined in Clause 2, Article 16 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013.

In case where terrorism occurs on an aircraft or ship that has departed from an airport or a seaport, the commander of such aircraft or ship shall be the anti-terrorism commander.

Tasks and powers of the anti-terrorism commanders in Vietnam

Pursuant to Article 16 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013, the tasks and powers of the anti-terrorism commanders are stipulated as follows:

(1) The anti-terrorism commanders defined in Clause 1, Article 15 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013 shall have the following tasks and powers:

- To advise on, and propose to competent authorities to decide on necessary anti-­terrorism plans and measures;

- To act as anti-terrorism commander under decisions on plans and measures of competent authorities;

- In urgent cases where competent authorities have not yet decided on plans or measures, they shall have duty and power to apply the measures specified in Clause 2, Article 30 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013, unless such measures affect political or diplomatic affairs, infringe upon the lives of others or destroy assets with special value.

(2) Heads of state agencies, people’s armed units or People’s Committees specified in Clause 2, Article 15 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013 shall have the duty and power to apply the urgent measures for anti-terrorism defined at Points a, b, c, d, e, h, i and m, Clause 2, Article 30 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013, unless such measures may affect political or diplomatic affairs, infringe upon the lives of others or destroy assets with special value.

(3) Persons responsible for anti-terrorism command specified in Clause 3, Article 15 of the Anti-Terrorism Law 2013 shall have the duty and power to apply measures to prevent and invalidate terrorist acts in accordance with law.

(4) The people mentioned in points (1), (2) and (3) above shall be responsible before law for their acts and decisions.

Anti-terrorism policies in Vietnam

- The State shall condemn and severely punish all acts of terrorism and terrorist financing; use adequately measures to organize anti-terrorism; propagate and mobilize organizations and individuals to participate in anti-terrorism.

- The State shall adopt policies to mobilize scientific and technological achievements in serve of anti-terrorism activities.

- The State shall prioritize investment of technical and professional equipment and means and ensure the regimes and policies for forces countering terrorism and terrorist-financing.

- The State shall apply policies and measures to protect organizations and individuals participating in anti-terrorism. For individuals participating in anti-terrorism who are wounded, suffer health damage or die, they themselves or their relatives will be enjoyed the regimes and policies in accordance with law. Organizations and individuals whose assets are mobilized to serve anti-terrorism and damaged will be paid compensation.

- Organizations and individuals that record achievements in anti-terrorism are commended in accordance with law on emulation and commendation.

- The State shall apply leniency policy toward organizations and individuals that proactively abandon their intentions to commit terrorism or finance terrorists; voluntarily terminate their unfinished acts of terrorism or terrorist financing or attempt, before their acts of terrorism or terrorism financing are detected, in preventing, reducing the damage or remedying the consequences, and give themselves up, make honest declarations and reports, actively assist responsible agencies in detecting, preventing, investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating terrorists and terrorist financers.

Mai Thanh Loi

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