(VOVworld) – NA deputies continued to discuss amendments to the 1992 Constitution and a draft resolution on holding a referendum on constitution amendments.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (left).

Deputies clarified issues related to state power, the functions and missions of agencies in the state apparatus and roles of economic sectors. Deputies shared the viewpoint that state power is uniform with power allocation, coordination, and control among agencies in exercising legislative, executive, and judicial rights. All State power belongs to the people whose foundation is the alliance between working and farmer classes and intelligentsia. There should be a mechanism for power control so that the power can be decentralized but not abused. The provincial administration should be improved in terms of self-reliance. The amended Constitution continues to confirm the Communist Party of Vietnam as the only single ruling party in Vietnam. The CPV symbolizes the working and farmer classes and takes Marxism-Leninism and President Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts the guideline for all activities and the only to operate in the country. Deputy Nguyen Bac Viet from Ninh Thuan province talked about human rights and citizens’ duties ‘Regarding human rights, we should continue President Ho Chi Minh’s thoughts which were mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. That is all men are born free and with equal rights and in pursuit of happiness. But the amended document only says all have the rights to live. In terms of citizens’ rights, it should write citizens have the right to participate in the building of a law-governed socialist State of the people, by the people and for the people. Citizens must have the rights to administer the state and society, take part in discussions and recommendations for positions selected or appointed by the NA or People’s Councils.’

The amended constitution should continue to affirm that the NA is the highest representative body of the people and the highest authoritative agency of the Socialist People’s Republic of Vietnam. The NA executes legislative and supervisory power over state operations and makes important decisions for the country. State auditing agency has been, for the first time, acknowledged in the constitution as a body to help the NA supervise financial and monetary issues. Dang Ngoc Tung, a deputy from Dong Nai province, talked about the nature of the nation’s economic sectors ‘I think economic sectors play an important and long-term role in Vietnam’s socialist-oriented market economy. It’s a changing and developing factor in each economic development period and intertwined with each other. Thus the constitution should continue confirming that Vietnam pursues a multi-sectoral economy and various economic sectors operate in line with the laws, and be the key components of the economy, equal to the law, and engaged in cooperation and healthy competition.’

The deputies said Constitution should serve as a declaration of the Vietnamese nation covering all aspects of life social and economic life. This amendment is of great significance to Vietnam. Following a referendum on constitution amendments, the NA Standing Committee will continue correcting and complete the draft for the NA’s consideration and adoption at the sixth session in October 2013.