The seminar had the participation of 5 famous 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 Principal of Hanoi University of Procuracy.
The seminar also had the presence of relevant departments and Goodwill Ambassadors including Miss Universe Vietnam 2015 Pham Huong, Runner-up Le Hang and MC Phan Anh.
Globally, illegal wildlife trade, which is considered to be second only to drug, arms and human trafficking in terms of profits, is causing many rare animals to face the risk of extinction, such as rhinos, elephants and pangolins. Vietnam is not only a leading consumer of wildlife but also a transit point for transnational wildlife trafficking.
The seminar “Vietnam and its efforts to strengthen enforcement of wildlife protection laws” is the first activity in a series of activities by CHANGE and WildAid to support the Vietnamese government in strengthening enforcement of wildlife protection laws, with the aim of bringing information on the latest wildlife laws in the 2015 Penal Code to the public, helping people clearly understand the illegality of wildlife trade and consumption, understand the difficulties in law enforcement as well as contribute to raising general awareness of the community on wildlife protection issues.
In his opening remarks, Mr. John Baker, Director of WildAid Program said: “We are extremely pleased that the new Penal Code will ensure better protection for wildlife, and look forward to working with Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in implementing the new law. The increased penalties in the 2015 Penal Code will certainly act as a deterrent to those who intend to profit illegally from the wildlife trade. Once these changes come into effect, Vietnam will join other pioneering countries in making an effective contribution to the global effort to end the illegal wildlife trade.”
Mr. John Baker - Director of WildAid Program
During the discussion, speakers emphasized the need for close coordination between law enforcement agencies, as well as appreciated the support of non-governmental organizations, scientists and people interested in this issue.
At the event, Ms. Hoang Thi Minh Hong - Director of CHANGE, briefly introduced the plan of CHANGE and WildAid in 2018 in supporting law enforcement. The plan includes training workshops to improve the capacity of law enforcement officers, consultation workshops on draft 1 Resolution guiding the implementation of wildlife laws in the Penal Code, activities to raise awareness and professional skills for students studying in fields related to law enforcement. Promoting their strengths, CHANGE and WildAid will also produce television messages, online media publications, place message boards and information leaflets for tourists at border gates, and carry out communication campaigns on social networks related to the amendments to the Penal Code. “We are very pleased that our cooperation proposals have received positive responses from the General Department of Customs and the Supreme People's Court. We are also very grateful that today's discussion 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 in strengthening law enforcement to protect wildlife,” said Ms. Hoang Thi Minh Hong.
Ms. Hoang Thi Minh Hong - Director of CHANGE
Also in his speech, Mr. John Baker honored the Saigon Port Customs Branch, Region 1, and shared WildAid's plan to award this unit the "WildAid Wildlife Champion Award" for its efforts in detecting and seizing 7 tons of ivory and hundreds of kilograms of pangolin scales illegally smuggled through the border gate recently.
Goodwill ambassadors MC Phan Anh, Miss Pham Huong, and Runner-up Le Hang also shared openly and sincerely at the event. Two short films, “The Disappearance of the Giants”, about elephants and ivory smuggling, with the participation of Pham Huong and Le Hang, and “The Survivors”, about rhinos and rhino horn smuggling, with the participation of MC Phan Anh, were also introduced at the event, sending a strong message calling on the Vietnamese community to join hands to protect these two wonderful animals with the world.
Ngoc Anh
