Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Most of the National Assembly "full time" deputies have accepted the 11-time re-written draft law to ensure citizens the right of association.

The right was written into Viet Nam's 1992 Constitution, the deputies reminded themselves when they debated the proposed law on Aug. 23.

"The citizens shall enjoy freedom of opinion and speech, freedom of the press, the right to be informed and the right to assemble, form associations and hold demonstrations in accordance with the law," Article 69 of the Constitution says.

The proposed law stipulates that membership of any association and participation in its activities must be voluntary, regular, autonomous and accountable before the law.

The association must be self-financing, non-profit making and abide by both the law and its regulations.

Deputy Nguyen Dinh Loc, HCM City, suggested that the non-profit making provisions of the draft law, contained in Article 4, be reconsidered because associations, particularly scientific, had made a sizeable contribution to national development.

"If we don't take the issue of profit into account, who will join these associations?" he asked.

Science and Technology Committee chairman Nghiem Vu Khai said the law should not discriminate between associations that have legal status and those which did not.

A law of association must regulate all types of associations regardless of their legal status, he said.

Numerous associations without legal status had many members. But the law should clearly defined the types of associations that must be registered.

Numerous deputies asked the drafting committee to simplify the administrative procedures for the formation of an association.

They said the Government should focus on helping would-be associations register and then acknowledge their existence as well as approve their statutes.

They also agreed that the Fatherland Front should be governed separately under the Law on Fatherland Front.

Viet Nam had about 320 listed national associations as of June, according to the English-language daily Viet Nam News, hile provinces and cities had more than 2,150 with thousands in the districts and wards.

The seven chapter, 34 article draft law is expected to be approved by the National Assembly later this year.

On August 28 The National Assembly Standing Committee also approved a draft resolution on establishment of the National Steering Committee for Corruption Prevention and Control.

Under the draft resolution, the steering committee, led by the Prime Minister, will be responsible for instructing, inspecting and urging anti-corruption activities.

Article 5 of the draft resolution states that the PM - Head of the steering committee is empowered to issue decisions to temporarily suspend the deputy ministers and those of equivalent positions; presidents, vice presidents and standing members of the people's councils; presidents, vice presidents and members of the people's committees of the centrally-run cities and provinces; and other positions appointed by the PM, from the post.

The PM is also authorised to dismiss those involved in corruption activities and hindering anti-corruption activities.

During the 42nd session, which will run through Sept. 30, the NA Standing Committee will also discuss and give opinions on the draft law on infectious disease prevention and control, an ordinance on signing and implementing international agreements, and preparatory activities for the 10th session of the 11th NA.

Source: Vietnam News Agency