VietNamNet Bridge – The government will submit the draft Law of the Sea to
the National Assembly (NA) for consideration and approval at the session later
this year.
The NA also approved the resolution on the amendment of the Constitution 1992,
focusing on seven issues suggested by the NA Standing Committee.
During discussion, many deputies said that the amendment should concentrate on
the apparatus of State, NA, government, court, procuracy and local governments.
However, in the explanation report, Chair of the NA Committee for Law Phan Trung
Ly said that the amendment aims to quickly institutionalize the Party’s policies
which are defined in the political program and documents of the 11th Party
Congress, not only the state apparatus.
All opinions are transmitted to the Committee for Amendment of Constitution.
Up to deputies’ proposal, the number of the Committee for Amendment of
Constitution’s members will rise from 27 to 30. The new members will be
representatives of the Justice Committee, the Institute for Social Sciences and
the Institute of Science and Technology.
The Committee for Amendment of Constitution will set up an editorial board which
consists of experts and scientists who represent various circles and fields.
The committee’s chief is NA Chair Nguyen Sinh Hung and the vice chief is NA Vice
Chair Uong Chu Luu. The 28 members are representatives of ministries, sectors,
etc.
The committee will submit the first draft amended Constitution at the NA session
in late 2012. The draft will be made public to collect people’s opinion from
March to April 2013. The NA plans to approve the amended Constitution in October
2013.
Constitution changes to be in line with policies
The drafting committee for the revision of the 1992 Constitution met for the
first time in Hanoi on August 8 under the chairmanship of National Assembly
Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung who is also chairman of the committee.
Among the assignments given to the committee were to discuss what changes should
be made to the 1992 Constitution and to review its implementation over the past
20 years.
In addition, the committee had to conduct surveys and assess which social
relationships and legal documents would be affected by any changes to the
constitution. If necessary, the committee has been tasked with suggesting what
changes they should be.
Hung asked the committee members to bear in mind that any amendments or
supplements to the 1992 constitution must be in line with the major policies and
guidelines of the Party and Government that have been reflected in the Party's
Political Platform adopted at the 11th National Party Congress last January, as
well as other documents.
During their discussion, committee members expressed their desire to consult
experts in various fields during the process of revising the constitution - a
functional unit supporting the Drafting Committee.
Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong called on board members to give thorough
consideration to the language and terminology to be used in the revised
constitution.
"Members of the board should include lecturers from major law schools in North,
Central and South Viet Nam", said Cuong.
Nguyen Thai Binh, Minister of Home Affairs proposed that members of the board
should also include experts on ethnic minorities.
President of the Viet Nam War Veterans Tran Hanh emphasised the need for
openness, transparency and communication during the process.
"It is important to consult the community during the process of revising the
constitution. This is a good way to create a consensus across the entire
society", Hanh said.
In conclusion, NA Chairman Hung asked the committee members to uphold the
principle of Party leadership and democracy.
"We have to show our responsibility towards the Party and the people in our
work", Hung said.
Phan Trung Ly, Chair of the National Assembly Law Committee and the head of the
Editing Board for the revision of the 1992 Constitution has been appointed as
the spokesperson for the Drafting Committee.
Le Nhung