Decree No. 82/2011/ND-CP dated September 16, 2011 of the Government on execution by lethal injection

FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2011, LETHAL INJECTION WILL BE USED FOR CAPITAL EXECUTION

The Government issued the Decree No. 82/2011/ND-CP dated September 16, 2011 on execution of the death penalty by lethal injection. This Decree also provides the drugs, equipment and devices used for execution; responsibilities of agencies, organizations and People's Committees of all levels for execution of the death penalty; as well as regimes and policies for persons engaged in execution of the death penalty.

Specifically, the drugs for execution include: Sodium thiopental, which is used for anesthesia; Pancuronium bromide, which is used to induce paralysis of the nervous system and muscles; and Potassium chloride, which is used to slop the heart.

A dose consists of the three drugs specified above; The drugs for execution shall be supplied by the Ministry of Health at the request of the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of National Defense. The drugs shall be delivered with written records; sealed and strictly managed under law.

As stipulated in this Decree, execution team members and physicians identifying veins are entitled to an allowance 2 times the common minimum wage for each execution and a 10-day rest under regulations on rest regimes applicable to People's Police and People's Arms officers and soldiers.

Execution Council members, forensic experts, technicians and persons pressing finger­prints of, and shrouding and burying executed persons are entitled to an allowance equal to the common minimum wage for each execution. Other persons engaged in execution are entitled to an allowance equal to half of the common minimum wage for each execution.

Expenses for burial of an executed person include 1 coffin of ordinary timber, 1 set of ordinary clothes, 4 meters of shroud, incense, candles, spirit and alcohol for cleaning the corpse and other burial expenses. If relatives or lawful representatives of the executed person are allowed to retrieve the body for burial, they shall bear transportation expenses and commit to observing the law on assurance of security and order.