Three draft revised laws – the Criminal Code, the Civil Procedure Code and the Criminal Procedure Code - were presented to the 13 th National Assembly on the first day of the ninth session on May 20.

The amended Criminal Code, with 443 articles – an increase of 99 articles from the current version, is expected to become a sharp and effective tool to fight crimes, safeguard national sovereignty and security, protect human and citizen rights, and develop a socialism-oriented market economy.

The Civil Procedure Code is revised to address shortcomings which were revealed during the enforcement of the code over the past 10 years, and is part of the Party’s judicial reform push. The revised code has 43 chapters and 491 articles, with 76 new articles, amendments and supplements to 238 articles while cutting 7 articles from the existing version.

Changes to the Criminal Procedure Code were hailed as radical and comprehensive, with the aim of enhancing the responsibility of legal bodies in protecting human rights and citizens’ rights as stipulated in the Constitution. The revised code has 38 chapters and 486 articles. Compared to the 2003 version, the draft law adds 172 articles, modifies 294 articles and removes 26 articles.

Also on May 20 afternoon, the NA heard a proposal asking for approval of the 2013 State budget balance sheet.

Voters’ proposals heard at NA’s ninth session

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, Nguyen Thien Nhan, delivered a report summarising the opinions and proposals of voters across the country at the opening ceremony of the 13th National Assembly’s ninth session in Hanoi on May 20.

According to Nhan, in preparation for the session, the committee collected a total of 3,854 opinions and proposals from voters and members of the public.

The opinions cover a wide range of issues, such as agriculture; farming and rural development; living standards and social welfare; environmental protection; education; healthcare; and corruption.

Nhan said that voters appreciated the outcomes of the national target programme on new-style rural area building, which was initiated by the Government in 2010 and has seen localities develop their infrastructure, improve production capacity, construct public works, protect their environment and promote local traditions and cultural identity.

Many people called for the adjustment of several criteria to better meet the requirements of each region and locality, and an increase in funds supporting mountainous and extremely disadvantageous communes and districts.

Many voters are worried about the complex climate change situation, with drought occurring in central and Central Highlands regions causing a lack of water for production and daily use. They proposed that the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development introduce strong measures to deal with the matter, including reforestation and irrigation planning and construction.

They also asked for effective measures to implement agricultural production planning and support the establishment of new-style cooperatives as mentioned in the 2012 Cooperative Law.

Some suggested the Government review and adjust poverty standards, and design policies supporting households living below and near the poverty line suitable to the conditions of each region and locality.

Environmental pollution in rural areas and around industrial zones and trade villages also worried voters. They called for closer monitoring of the Government and environment ministry to address the problem.

Voters also asked for more efficient measures to increase the quality of education and healthcare in the country.

Many expressed their concerns over shortcomings in the fight against corruption, including inefficient prevention measures, limited detection of corruption and ineffective recovery of illegally-obtained assets. They proposed the NA and Government strengthen supervision and monitoring of corruption cases, strictly punish corrupt officials and clarify the responsibility of heads of offices and organisations where corruption appears.

They also suggested the Government and State offices continue addressing proposals submitted at the previous NA sessions, easing difficulties facing businesses and improving traffic safety and order.-

VNA