What do lawyers say about population management using identification codes?

Lawyer Tran Tuan Anh said that population management by identification code is a breakthrough that must go through a very long struggle.

Recently, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has just signed and issued Resolution 112/NQ-CP of the Government on simplifying administrative procedures and citizen papers related to population management under the state management functions of the Ministry of Public Security.

Accordingly, the form of managing permanent residence registration by manual "household registration book" will be abolished and replaced by the form of updating information on the National Population Database, on the electronic system. At the same time, documents on household registration transfer, proof of family relationships, and birth certificates for children registering for permanent residence will also be abolished.

Lawyer Tran Tuan Anh - Director of Minh Bach Law Firm (Hanoi Bar Association)

Similarly, temporary residence management will no longer require a "temporary residence book" but will instead be replaced by updating personal information on the National Population Database. After abolishing the household registration book and identity card, people will use personal identification numbers (ID numbers) when carrying out procedures related to individuals.

Regarding the Government's agreement to abolish procedures on household registration books and identity cards in population management to unify management by identification codes, lawyer Tran Tuan Anh - Director of Minh Bach Law Firm (Hanoi Bar Association) said that this is a breakthrough, which must go through a very long struggle.

“We have had many analyses and stories saying that the household registration book does not decide the management of population in Vietnam. Obviously, in a society of socialized information, especially when the Project of each citizen having a separate identification code is approved, the household registration book is no longer helpful in management. Sometimes, manual management of household registration books brings certain inconveniences and inadequacies in population management. And now, when the Government has abolished the policy of managing population according to the household registration book, I think that is an update, a timely and correct policy of the Party and the State” – Lawyer Tuan Anh said.

Abolishing manual household registration book management and replacing it with electronic management is one of the first steps to reduce inconvenience for people. Photo: Internet

Furthermore, the abolition of population management by household registration books is very consistent with the Constitution of Vietnam. The Constitution stipulates absolute respect for the right to freedom of residence of all citizens. People have the right to freely reside anywhere in Vietnam as they wish and must register with the state management agency where they reside.

However, we have always known that the household registration book is related to many other civil rights, the right to access basic social services. For example, education, health care services and other social protection.

A very clear example is that two years ago, there were conflicting opinions about the criteria for recruiting civil servants, which was that candidates must have permanent residence in Hanoi.

In the case of not having a household registration but wanting to take the civil service exam, that person must meet one of the following criteria: graduating as valedictorian at a domestic university; or graduating with honors or distinction from a foreign university or postgraduate program; or having a doctorate degree and being under 35 years old...

Just like that, household registration naturally becomes a huge barrier to attracting talent, leading to bigger stories about human resources. Up to now, when the Government has done that, I consider it a huge breakthrough in state administrative management.

Lawyer Tran Tuan Anh also said that he himself had encountered difficulties with the household registration book: “In 2009, I bought a house in Hanoi. At that time, I had to have a Hanoi household registration book to be able to buy a house, but conversely, I had to have a house in Hanoi to be able to register my household registration in Hanoi. It was a “chicken-egg” story. I had to spend a lot of effort and money to get a household registration book in Hanoi, then I could buy a house in Hanoi.”

After 2010, the requirement of having a Hanoi household registration was abolished, which was a breakthrough but only solved one of the remaining problems. Behind the household registration book, there are many other connections.

Obviously, managing with paper household registration books is no longer valuable at present, and when it is no longer valuable, it is inevitable to abandon it and replace it with a more modern management method.

Lawyer Tuan Anh commented: “The government has listened to the opinions of the people, really wants to reduce cumbersome procedures, creating convenience for the people. I think that eliminating manual household registration management and replacing it with electronic management is one of the first steps to reduce hassle, effort, and travel time for the people, and the people will be able to contribute the most quintessential and creative things to the country and social development”./.

According to VOV