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The seminar featured five renowned speakers: Lieutenant General Tran Van Do - Former Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, Dr. Pham Quy Ty - Former Deputy Minister of Justice, Dr. Luong Ngoc Tram - Judge of the Supreme People's Court, Mr. Nguyen Khanh Quang - Deputy Director of the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department of the General Department of Customs, and Dr. Nguyen Duc Hanh - Vice Rector of the Hanoi University of Prosecutors.
The panel discussion was also attended by representatives from relevant departments and Goodwill Ambassadors including Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Pham Huong, First Runner-up Le Hang, and MC Phan Anh.
Globally, the illegal wildlife trade, considered the most profitable trade after drug trafficking, arms trafficking, and human trafficking, is causing many rare animal species to face extinction, such as rhinos, elephants, and pangolins. Vietnam is not only a leading consumer of wildlife but also a transit point for transnational wildlife trade.
The seminar "Vietnam's Efforts to Strengthen Law Enforcement to Protect Wildlife" is the first activity in a series of activities by CHANGE and WildAid aimed at supporting the Vietnamese government in strengthening law enforcement to protect wildlife. The goal is to inform the public about the latest wildlife laws in the 2015 Penal Code, help people understand the illegality of wildlife trade and consumption, comprehend the difficulties in law enforcement, and contribute to raising general community awareness about wildlife protection.
In his opening remarks, John Baker, Director of the WildAid Program, said: “We are extremely pleased that the new Penal Code will ensure better protection for wildlife, and we look forward to cooperating with Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in the implementation of the new law. The increased penalties in the 2015 Penal Code will certainly deter those who intend to profit illegally from wildlife trafficking. Once these changes come into effect, Vietnam will join other pioneering nations in effectively contributing to the global effort to end the illegal wildlife trade.”
John Baker - WildAid Program Director
During the panel discussion, speakers emphasized the need for close coordination among law enforcement agencies, and also appreciated the support of non-governmental organizations, scientists, and citizens concerned about this issue.
At the event, Ms. Hoang Thi Minh Hong, Director of CHANGE, briefly introduced CHANGE and WildAid's 2018 plan to support law enforcement. The plan includes capacity-building training workshops for law enforcement officers, consultation workshops to gather feedback on the draft Resolution guiding the implementation of wildlife laws in the Penal Code, and activities to raise awareness and improve professional skills for students studying law enforcement-related fields. Leveraging their strengths, CHANGE and WildAid will also produce television messages, online media publications, place informational signs and leaflets for tourists at border crossings, and conduct social media campaigns related to the amendments to the Penal Code. “We are delighted that our cooperation proposals have received positive feedback from the General Department of Customs and the Supreme People's Court. We are also very grateful that today's seminar has received the participation of law enforcement agencies and renowned experts. Through WildAid's global media network, we hope to show the international community the serious commitment of the Vietnamese government to strengthening law enforcement to protect wildlife,” said Ms. Hoang Thi Minh Hong.
Ms. Hoang Thi Minh Hong - Director of CHANGE
In his speech, John Baker also honored the Saigon Port Customs Branch, Area 1, and shared WildAid's intention to award them the "WildAid Wildlife Champion Award" for their efforts in detecting and seizing 7 tons of ivory and hundreds of kilograms of pangolin scales that were illegally smuggled through the border recently.
Goodwill ambassadors MC Phan Anh, Miss Pham Huong, and Runner-up Le Hang also shared their thoughts openly and sincerely at the event. Two short films, "The Disappearance of the Giants," about elephants and ivory trafficking, starring Pham Huong and Le Hang, and "The Survivors," about rhinos and rhino horn trafficking, starring MC Phan Anh, were also presented at the event, sending a powerful message calling on the Vietnamese community to join hands in protecting these two magnificent animals alongside the world.
Ngoc Anh
