The concluding remarks of General Secretary To Lam at the National Conference summarizing the work of preventing and combating corruption, waste and negativity during the 13th National Party Congress on December 11 showed the Party's determination in the fight against corruption and negativity.
At the same time, he affirmed that this is a persistent and uncompromising fight. But what creates a unique identity, creates a broad consensus in society and among the people, is not only "scrutinization" and "inspection" but also in the spirit of "humanity", becoming a consistent and consistent viewpoint.
In his speech, the General Secretary emphasized: Detection and handling work is a bright spot. Internal affairs agencies, inspection, examination, auditing, investigation, prosecution, trial and execution of judgments have made great efforts, with high determination, closely coordinated, rhythmically, proactively identified, detected, and strictly handled the Party's disciplinary action, handled administrative and criminally many cases, serious and complicated corruption, waste, and negativity according to the motto "no forbidden areas, no exceptions", " handling one case, warning the whole region, the whole field". Through cases and incidents, corrupt subjects have been "exposed and named", proving the nature of personal interests and shining light on many sophisticated corruption tricks in various fields, especially the combination of " interests groups" for profit; maximum recovery of assets for the State, many cases of recovery of 100% of lost and misappropriated assets; some investigations, prosecution, and trials are absent from both defendants and defendants on the run; different handling of violators, ensuring both strictness and humanity, and the subjects are handled "in disguise and disguise".
Strict handling here is handling the right people, the right crimes, the right laws; synchronizing Party discipline, administrative handling and criminal handling; is the maximum recovery of lost and misappropriated assets; is clarifying the nature of private interests, group interests, and the connection between power and money. That strictness creates a strong deterrent, " handling a case, warning the whole region, the whole field", contributing to cleaning the team, strengthening discipline and order of the Party and the State.
More importantly, it is the strictness and consistency that has helped the fight against corruption not to be "dug up", not to be doubted or shaken in any circumstances. This is a fulcrum for the people to believe that this struggle is irreversible.
But if only "humility" but lack "civility", the fight against corruption will easily fall to the extreme, creating a fearful, cluster- afraid of making mistakes, "not daring to do" mentality among the staff. Therefore, strict handling but humanity is a very difficult balance, demonstrating the political will and depth of the Party's thinking.
Humanity is first of all to clearly differentiate responsibilities and the level of violations. Do not equal people who intentionally take advantage of violators due to limited awareness, inadequate mechanisms, or being lured or forced. Humanity is to create conditions for violators to confess honestly, voluntarily remedy the consequences, and compensate for damages; to fully review mitigating circumstances, meritorious services, and ensure human rights and civil rights in litigation.
Humanity is also about protecting cadres who dare to think, dare to do, dare to take responsibility for the common good. In the context of the country needing breakthroughs and strong innovation, if it does not clearly distinguish between violations for personal gain and risks in the process of innovation, it will accidentally "ties hands" with those with heart and potential. The viewpoint of strict but humane handling is therefore the message: The Party does not condone corruption, but also does not abandon those who work for the common good, for the people, for the country.
The human spirit is also demonstrated in the strong shift from " process" to "prevention". Completing institutions, closing loopholes; transparency of public service activities; promoting digital transformation; reforming salary and housing policies; building a culture of integrity... all of which are to create conditions for cadres to not dare, cannot, do not want and do not need corruption.
That is the most humane way to do things, because instead of just punishing, the Party chooses to prevent early, from afar, from the root. Do not let small violations accumulate into large violations; do not let cadres fall before handling. Good prevention is to protect cadres, protect the apparatus, and more deeply, protect social trust.
Strict handling but humanity is not a commitment, let alone a gentleness. That is the argumentative combination of principle discipline and tolerance, between strict laws and humanitarian ethics. That is also a way for the fight against corruption to not only "won" legally, but also gain trust in the hearts of the people.
practice shows that it is thanks to this view that people's trust in the Party and State is increasingly strengthened; the investment and business environment is improved; the apparatus operates more transparently and effectively. That is the most important measure of a right fight.
For example, on December 15, the Supreme People's Court of Appeal in Hanoi will open an appeal trial for the appeal request for a reduced sentence of defendant Hoang Thi Thuy Lan - former Secretary of the Vinh Phuc Provincial Party Committee, former Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation, former Chairwoman of the People's Council of Vinh Phuc Province - and many other defendants in the Phuc Son Group case, related to the crime of "Receiving bribes" and other crimes. Defendant Lan was sentenced to 14 years in prison at first instance and appealed for a reduced sentence. The appeal hearing will consider this appeal.
Before the appeal hearing took place, the family of defendant Hoang Thi Thuy Lan submitted a petition expressing their views, circumstances and wishes related to the case. In the petition, Ms. Tran Huyen Trang - the daughter of defendant Hoang Thi Thuy Lan - affirmed that she clearly recognizes the principle that the guilty must bear responsibility before the law, respect the investigation, prosecution and trial process of competent authorities and do not make excuses for any violations. However, defendant Lan's relatives hope that the public will have a humane and tolerant view, considering the defendant's family situation and contributions during his time working.
The petition stated the current health, the circumstances of defendant Lan's family, outstanding marks during her work and especially the family's efforts to persuade other defendants to remedy the consequences of the case with assets and amounts of over VND1,000 billion...
Defendant Hoang Thi Thuy Lan's relatives hope that public opinion and press agencies will understand and share, in a humane spirit, and at the same time respect the decisions of the agencies conducting the litigation in accordance with the law.
Public opinion is also eagerly waiting for a new verdict, considering the whole, and evaluating objectively, both ensuring the strictness of the law and demonstrating profound humanity, so that the people who are being treated "in disguise" can be of one mind and agree.
In the journey ahead, when the country enters a new stage of development with many intertwined opportunities and challenges, the viewpoint of strict handling but humanity will continue to be the guiding principle. Because the nature of anti-corruption and negativity is not to destroy people. The handling method is not emotional, not extreme, but the ultimate goal is to protect the Party, protect the regime, protect the interests of the people and create a solid foundation for the sustainable development of the country.
