Two Australians on death row in Vietnam are granted leniency following Anthony Albanese’s visit to the country
Two Australians facing the death penalty in Vietnam have been granted clemency after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited the country over the weekend.
“I protested to the prime minister yesterday morning and yesterday afternoon the president had signed the leniency orders,” Albanese said at 7:30 a.m. on his return to Australia on Monday.
“Australia strongly opposes the death penalty and we are acting on behalf of Australian citizens.
“We are very happy that Vietnam has agreed to the request and we thank them for that.”
Mr Albanese (left) protested to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) to have the sentences of two Australians on death row reduced during their meeting in Hanoi
Mr Albanese did not name the two Australians who had been granted leniency, but said their families had been given the good news. (Stock image of prisoners behind bars)
Mr Albanese did not name the two Australians who had been granted leniency, but said their families had been given the good news.
“The families are informed and very relieved that Australia has passed,” he said.
“They’ve asked for their privacy to be respected, so I’m not naming their names tonight.”
The prime minister said the breakthrough was partly due to improved relations between Australia and Vietnam.
Several Australians are on death row in a number of countries. Six have been executed, the most recent being Bali Nine leaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in Indonesia in 2015.
The two leaders met on the occasion of fifty years of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam
Albanian spent the weekend in Vietnam to mark fifty years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“We are strategic partners and we have been good friends for 50 years,” he said.
Mr. Albanese also met separately with the President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, the President of the Socialist Republic and the Secretary General of the country’s Communist Party as part of a joint effort to strengthen trade and economic ties .
Albanese said Australia wants to work with its neighbours, especially when it comes to the challenges of climate change.
“I am pleased to announce that Australia will step up our support for energy transformation in Vietnam, with a major package of new $105 million overseas development assistance to support sustainable infrastructure planning, boost private investment in clean energy infrastructure and providing technical assistance. to develop Vietnam’s critical mineral sector,” said Mr. Albanese.
