National Assembly discusses Law on National Defense and Security Education

On the afternoon of November 14, the National Assembly worked in groups to give its first opinions on two drafts: the Law on National Defense and Security Education and the Law on Anti-Terrorism.

National Assembly delegate of Tien Giang province Huynh Van Tinh speaks.
(Photo: An Dang/VNA)

The draft Law on National Defense and Security Education still lacks specificity.

Discussing the draft Law on National Defense and Security Education, many delegates expressed concerns about the specificity of the draft, which could easily lead to a situation of "law waiting for decree."

According to Article 42 of the draft, there are up to 23 articles and clauses assigned to the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Ministries for implementation guidance. Delegates suggested that with the contents that have been tested in practice and have high feasibility, they should be stipulated in the Law to minimize the number of documents guiding implementation. At the same time, it is necessary to review and carefully consider the contents in the draft to avoid duplication and contradiction with related legal documents, ensuring the consistency of the legal system. The necessity of promulgating this Law also needs to be clarified and highlighted.

Agreeing with the review report of the National Assembly's Committee on National Defense and Security, some opinions said that the draft Law still tends towards administrative trends, the socialization is not high, and has not promoted the synthesis of social resources for National Defense and Security education, especially National Defense and Security education for all people. The draft Law needs to supplement specific and strict regulations on requirements, content, forms and mechanisms for organizing socialization activities in the direction of attracting the wide participation of agencies, organizations and individuals with appropriate forms, in order to mobilize the synthesis of social resources for National Defense and Security education. On that basis, it arouses patriotism, promotes citizens' responsibility to voluntarily study and perform national defense and security tasks, and limits mandatory administrative regulations.

Delegates gave their opinions on the specific contents of the draft Law on: Name, scope of regulation; training in National Defense and Security knowledge for subjects in State agencies, organizations, political organizations, socio-political organizations, managers of non-state enterprises, non-public career units, religious dignitaries and monks; tasks and powers of agencies and organizations on National Defense and Security education.

Delegate Nguyen Viet Nhien (Hai Phong) proposed adding Article 16 on training in National Defense and Security knowledge for religious dignitaries, monks, village elders, and village chiefs because these are people of very high prestige, and it is necessary to increase their active participation in National Defense and Security education work.

Delegate Bui Thi An (Hanoi) proposed expanding the target group of people in remote areas to raise patriotism and awareness of protecting national defense and security.

Delegate Do Kim Tuyen (Hanoi) said that religious dignitaries have a role in solidarity, so it is necessary to include it in the Law, but in an appropriate manner.

Delegate Thich Minh Chau (Hanoi) also said that religion is a strong force, plays a significant role, and needs to have an appropriate form so that this force can actively participate and promote its strength; avoid administrative orders.

Many delegates were particularly interested in the content of National Defense and Security education for high school students and agreed to integrate National Defense and Security education content for primary and secondary school students through other subjects.

According to delegate Tran Hong Tham (Can Tho), for this group, it is necessary to pay attention to the form of education, focusing on promoting their spirit and awareness, for example through military semesters and extracurricular activities.

Delegate Pham Huy Hung (Hanoi) suggested that it is necessary to study the quantification of knowledge, avoid overload and consider the feasibility of this regulation.

More clearly define "terrorist" acts

Delegates basically agreed with the need to promulgate the Law on Anti-Terrorism to institutionalize the Party's viewpoints and policies on protecting national security and maintaining social order and safety. At the same time, it creates a complete and solid legal basis for the work of preventing and combating terrorism and terrorist financing in accordance with the practical situation in Vietnam; and implement international cooperation on preventing and combating terrorism and terrorist financing without harming national interests.

Delegates Nguyen Minh Kha (Can Tho), Chu Son Ha (Hanoi), Dao Van Binh (Hanoi) suggested that the draft should provide a clear and distinct concept of terrorism, more clearly defining terrorist acts in accordance with Vietnamese practice and as a basis for distinguishing them from other acts of sabotage, ensuring consistency with the Penal Code. Some opinions suggested that it is necessary to clearly define the subject with the authority to determine terrorist cases, the subject with the authority to decide on measures to prevent and combat terrorism such as deciding to mobilize the army and police to participate in counter-terrorism, deciding on contents requiring international cooperation, etc.

Many opinions suggest not establishing a separate specialized force, but assigning additional tasks and providing thorough training to existing key forces because establishing a specialized force to only carry out anti-terrorism tasks would be wasteful due to the large investment required in human resources and materials.

According to delegates Nguyen Viet Nhien (Hai Phong), Nguyen Minh Kha (Can Tho), Chu Son Ha (Hanoi), many countries have established their own anti-terrorism forces, but in the specific conditions of Vietnam, it is not advisable to establish a separate specialized force because it requires huge equipment and investment, but should be concurrently held with the core forces of the Police and the Army. However, it is also necessary to determine the roles and responsibilities of each agency and unit in certain situations because in large-scale cases, the prescribed force may not be enough.

Delegate Nguyen Viet Nhien (Hai Phong) also suggested that the draft should specify the anti-terrorism commander in the direction that the Prime Minister is the highest commander, and at the provincial level, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee is the highest commander. On the other hand, it is necessary to provide more detailed regulations on the use and mobilization of military forces. The issue of international cooperation also needs to be considered at an appropriate level.

Delegates also gave their opinions on many specific contents such as the name, scope of regulation of the Law, the concept of "terrorism"; principles of preventing and combating terrorism; Steering Committee, specialized forces implementing anti-terrorism; measures to prevent and combat terrorism...

According to the program, this morning, November 15, the National Assembly worked at the Hall to pass the Resolution on the allocation of the Central budget in 2013; the Resolution on the National Assembly's Supervisory Program in 2013 and discussed the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Personal Income Tax.

In the afternoon, the National Assembly discussed in the hall the Draft Amendment to the 1992 Constitution and the Draft Resolution on collecting public opinions on the Draft Amendment to the 1992 Constitution./.

According to (TTXVN)-LT