A press conference on collecting public opinions on the draft amendments of the 1992 Constitution

The draft amendments of the 1992 Constitution reserve one chapter for human and civil rights issues. The 1959, 1980, and 1992 Constitutions scattered regulations on human and civil rights in different chapters. Human rights are defined in Chapter 2 of the revised Constitution, which is appropriate and similar to the Constitutions of other advanced democratic states. It reflects the importance of human rights at the present time, especially in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, where state power belongs to the people. Phan Bich Thien, an overseas Vietnamese in Hungary and Chairwoman of the Fund for the Hungary – Vietnam Relationship, shares her views. "The draft amendments include a new human rights content, defining human rights on a larger scale and more specifically. For example, human rights consist of the right to propose ideas democratically and directly instead of going through the People’s Councils and organizations as in the old Constitution. The draft amendments stipulate that the Vietnamese State and Constitution protect Vietnamese people including those living abroad. It’s a good point."

The draft amendments have more clear, appropriate, and specific regulations on human and civil rights. Article 44, 45, and 46 add more contents on the basic rights and duties of citizenship such as the right to live in a natural, clean environment, the right to enjoy cultural values, and the duty to protect the environment. The draft amendments rule that citizens have the right to be involved in state governance, and to discuss and make proposals to the state on national and local issues. The State offers ways for people to get involved in state management, and guarantees transparency in receiving and responding to people’s recommendations. Pham Quoc Anh, President of the Vietnam Lawyers Association, says: "In human rights we stress the democratic right, which means that people can voice their thinking and aspirations. Their words should be respected, especially at the grassroots level. It’s essential to listen and to solicit people’s opinions on all issues, especially institutional issues, which is the foundation of constitutional revision and law."

Article 17 confirms that all people are equal before the law. No one is to be treated differently in political, economic, cultural, or social life. It’s the basic regulation of human rights, clarifying equality in society. Article 25 says all people have freedom of belief and religion, to follow or not follow any religion. All religions are equal before the law. The state respects and guarantees freedom of belief and religion. Places of worship are protected by law. No one is allowed to infringe the freedom of belief and religion or take advantage of belief and religion to violate the Constitution and law.

In Vietnam, respecting and guaranteeing the human rights and civil rights of freedom and democracy have been confirmed in each Constitution since the nation’s founding. The draft amendments to the 1992 Constitution have inherited and promoted human rights and added some rights appropriate to social development. They are the result of the renewal process in Vietnam in recent years and are in line with international commitments on human rights to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

Thu Hoa