VNExpress-Aug 14
The National Assembly is debating whether the trading of fetuses should be classified as human trafficking, a move that some delegates believe would strengthen preventative measures, while others argue it is not appropriate. During a Tuesday session to discuss the draft amendment to the law on preventing and combating human trafficking, Le Thi Nga, head of the Judicial Committee, highlighted that some delegates have proposed including the trading of fetuses under the definition of human trafficking. Nga emphasized that this would provide a legal basis to combat agreements to trade humans before birth. However, the Judicial Committee acknowledged that fetuses are not currently classified as people under the law, making it challenging to categorize their trade as human trafficking. The committee noted that while trading fetuses is often a precursor to human trafficking, it does not, by itself, fit the legal definition. Nguyen Thanh Hai, head of the Delegate Affairs Committee, pointed out that in Vietnamese culture, a developing fetus is considered human. Therefore, he argued, it is appropriate to classify the trade of fetuses as human trafficking. However, Nguyen Thuy Anh, head of the Social Committee, cautioned that the classification of fetuses as people is a contentious issue worldwide and requires careful consideration. “A ban on trading fetuses is needed, but fetuses cannot be classified as people, as abortion would be considered murder then,” Anh said. Between 2018 and 2022, Vietnam reported 440 human trafficking cases involving over 1,200 victims, with 58% of them being women, according to the Ministry of Public Security. These cases included 19 related to sexual exploitation, 132 to labor exploitation and four to organ harvesting. Read more at: Read more at: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-legislators-propose-making-trading-fetuses-a-human-trafficking-crime-4781511.html
