VietNamNet Bridge – The National Assembly (NA) has decided to put the draft of a demonstration law on the table for comment at its ninth session and plans to pass it at its next meeting slated for late next year as agreed by deputies last week.

Photo: VNN

With the current indignation over China’s illegal placement of a giant oil rig in Vietnamese waters, a number of NA deputies at the ongoing session in Hanoi have urged the law-making body to soon consider and approve a demonstration law for locals to perform legal protests.

Deputy Truong Trong Nghia from HCMC said the State had regulations ensuring demonstration rights and activities but a legal framework had not been put in place. This is one of the reasons why the agencies concerned have not dealt with extremist protesters effectively, causing negative impacts on production and the life of people.

Nghia disagreed with an idea that a demonstration law would lead to troubles. On the contrary, competent agencies feel confused to cope with protests and workers’ actions against China’s illegal deployment of Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf was a case in point.

Source: SGT