Changes made to Maritime Code
10:01, 2015/06/05
National Assembly deputies were discussing amendments to the Maritime Code of Vietnam and to the draft Law on the Elections of Deputies to the NA and elections for People`s Councils.
The discussions were chaired by Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Uong Chu Luu on June 3.
Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang said that although the 2005 Vietnam Maritime Code was rather comprehensive, it still needed amendments. During the implementation of the law, many articles and provisions were found to be too general and in need of guiding documents.
"At present, many recently promulgated legal documents relate to the management of maritime activities. There is an imperative need to amend the Maritime Code to make it conform with other legal documents," Thang said.
During the discussion, most delegates agreed on the need to amend the Maritime Code to provide favourable conditions for the country to develop and integrate internationally. However, they said, any changes to the 2005 code, must be in line with the 2013 Constitution and international laws to which Vietnam was a signatory. They must also contribute to protecting Vietnam's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as its national jurisdiction on the sea.
During their discussion, delegates added 108 new Articles and amended 107 others. As a result, the new draft Maritime Code of Vietnam has 366 Articles – an increase 105.
Later in the morning, NA deputies discussed the draft Law on the election of NA deputies and People's Councils. They pushed for fairness and transparency of the election process, and increasing the political representation of women and ethnic minorities.
Deputy Le Thi Yen from Phu Tho province, Nguyen Van Minh from Ho Chi Minh City and many others said the law should specify the number of political representation of women and ethnic minorities in the NA and the People's Councils.
Nguyen Huu Duc from Dong Thap province, Au Thi Mai from Tuyen Quang province and Nong Thi Lam from Lang Son province said the representation of ethnic people in these two bodies should reflect the number of ethnic people living in the electorate. They also proposed that the law should mandate a minimum percent of female and ethnic representatives in local and national government bodies.
In the afternoon of June 3, Nationbal Assembly deputies agreed there was a need to issue a Law on Referendum. In regard to the scope of such events, many deputies agreed they should be held nationwide.
"Issues put forth for referendum must be of over-riding importance to national interests, and to the legitimate rights and interests of most people in society," said deputy Dang Dinh Luyen from Khanh Hoa province.
"With issues influencing life of people in a particular locality, the current law already regulates mechanisms ensuring the contribution of opinions from people directly affected."
In connection with people or organisations with the right to request a referendum, many deputies favoured option No.1 that states that the NA Standing Committee, State President, the Government or at least one-third of the NA deputies have the right to call one.
They said that would maintain the importance of referendums and conform with the Law on Organisation of the National Assembly. This also means that the Fatherland Front does not have the right to call a referendum.
On calculating the result of a referendum, many said they should be deemed lawful if more than half of listed voters went to the ballot box.
"If 50 percent of listed voters go to the polls, the vote would be considered successful," said deputy Pham Xuan Thuong from Thai Binh province.
"It would be difficult if we required two-thirds of listed voters to vote and that an issue [put for referendum] would be enforced if it received more than two-thirds of consensus."
Deputy Le Dac Lam from Binh Thuan province also said it would be unfeasible if up to two-thirds of legal votes were required.
Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang said that although the 2005 Vietnam Maritime Code was rather comprehensive, it still needed amendments. During the implementation of the law, many articles and provisions were found to be too general and in need of guiding documents.
"At present, many recently promulgated legal documents relate to the management of maritime activities. There is an imperative need to amend the Maritime Code to make it conform with other legal documents," Thang said.
During the discussion, most delegates agreed on the need to amend the Maritime Code to provide favourable conditions for the country to develop and integrate internationally. However, they said, any changes to the 2005 code, must be in line with the 2013 Constitution and international laws to which Vietnam was a signatory. They must also contribute to protecting Vietnam's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as its national jurisdiction on the sea.
During their discussion, delegates added 108 new Articles and amended 107 others. As a result, the new draft Maritime Code of Vietnam has 366 Articles – an increase 105.
Later in the morning, NA deputies discussed the draft Law on the election of NA deputies and People's Councils. They pushed for fairness and transparency of the election process, and increasing the political representation of women and ethnic minorities.
Deputy Le Thi Yen from Phu Tho province, Nguyen Van Minh from Ho Chi Minh City and many others said the law should specify the number of political representation of women and ethnic minorities in the NA and the People's Councils.
Nguyen Huu Duc from Dong Thap province, Au Thi Mai from Tuyen Quang province and Nong Thi Lam from Lang Son province said the representation of ethnic people in these two bodies should reflect the number of ethnic people living in the electorate. They also proposed that the law should mandate a minimum percent of female and ethnic representatives in local and national government bodies.
In the afternoon of June 3, Nationbal Assembly deputies agreed there was a need to issue a Law on Referendum. In regard to the scope of such events, many deputies agreed they should be held nationwide.
"Issues put forth for referendum must be of over-riding importance to national interests, and to the legitimate rights and interests of most people in society," said deputy Dang Dinh Luyen from Khanh Hoa province.
"With issues influencing life of people in a particular locality, the current law already regulates mechanisms ensuring the contribution of opinions from people directly affected."
In connection with people or organisations with the right to request a referendum, many deputies favoured option No.1 that states that the NA Standing Committee, State President, the Government or at least one-third of the NA deputies have the right to call one.
They said that would maintain the importance of referendums and conform with the Law on Organisation of the National Assembly. This also means that the Fatherland Front does not have the right to call a referendum.
On calculating the result of a referendum, many said they should be deemed lawful if more than half of listed voters went to the ballot box.
"If 50 percent of listed voters go to the polls, the vote would be considered successful," said deputy Pham Xuan Thuong from Thai Binh province.
"It would be difficult if we required two-thirds of listed voters to vote and that an issue [put for referendum] would be enforced if it received more than two-thirds of consensus."
Deputy Le Dac Lam from Binh Thuan province also said it would be unfeasible if up to two-thirds of legal votes were required.
17:10, 2024/10/25
Hanoi students honored for creative logo celebrating German-Vietnamese ties
The red, yellow and black logo designed by two students from Hanoi has won the logo design competition to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam.
10:44, 2024/10/06
Vietnam condemns violence by Chinese authorities in Hoang Sa
Vietnam expresses its discontent and vehement objection to the brutal actions of Chinese law enforcement authorities in the Hoang Sa archipelago, which have resulted in Vietnamese fishermen being injured, their lives threatened and their property damaged.
19:03, 2024/09/14
Hanoi set to pilot centralized government services
The centralized building and those of its branches for government services would be equipped with the latest facilities and technologies.
15:15, 2024/09/02
Vietnam National Day: Insights from expats
Vietnam’s glorious history and national pride on National Day has captivated international friends in Hanoi.
18:28, 2024/08/01
Musical featuring the Spratlys to be aired
The musical shows the moving picture of the marines, who always hold their rifles firmly, ready to fulfill the mission of protecting the sacred sea and the islands of the Motherland.
17:19, 2024/07/19
Countries recognize Vietnam’s right to claim extended continental shelf in UN submission
In a note verbal to the UN Secretary-General on its extended continental shelf claim, Vietnam reiterated that it has no bearing on the maritime delimitation between the country and its neighboring states.
- Vietnam submits limits of continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in respect of the East Sea's Central area
- Vietnam firmly rejects any activities in violation of its sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Truong Sa
- Dien Bien Phu Battle in memories of war veterans
- Vietnamese people flock to Dien Bien Phu to commemorate resounding victory
- “Grey zone” activities cast a shadow over cooperation and peaceful prospects in East Sea
- Vietnam becomes one of first nations to sign High Seas Treaty