VietNamNet Bridge – Representatives of overseas Vietnamese evaluated Viet Nam's draft revised Constitution, a draft revision of the 1992 document, at a conference held by the Viet Nam Fatherland Front in Ha Noi yesterday, Jan 17.

The gathering sought to give overseas Vietnamese a voice in the amendments to the Constitution. Their commentary focused on human rights, the citizenship rights and responsibilities and the Government protection for all the legitimate rights of Vietnamese community abroad.

Representatives expressed happiness to have their voices heard in the development of the Constitution – a legal document with great significance for the country's development.

Dr. Phan Bich Thien, chairman of the Vietnamese Women's Union in Hungary, said the revised contents of the draft constitution included many important and necessary changes, including more detailed specifications of citizens' rights.

Thien said, however, that the role of the Fatherland Front needed to be more clearly defined in a separate chapter.

Bui Dinh Dinh, Vietnamese ambassador in Russia and general secretary of the Overseas Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Association, said the Constitution must be concise and easy for anyone to understand.

The document should also clearly state that Vietnamese investors from overseas were entitled to the same rights as those living in the country, said Nguyen Hoai Bac, chairman of the Management Board of the Viet Nam – Canada Vocation School.

To conclude the conference, Huynh Dam, chairman of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, expressed his appreciation for the patriotism and sense of responsibility of Vietnamese people overseas, reflected in their active contribution of ideas towards the revised Constitution.

Dam said that he looked forward to hearing further comments and that the Fatherland Front would consider all contributions.

Source: VNS