Entitlements and obligations of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy in Vietnam

Entitlements and obligations of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What is implementing democracy at the grassroots level?

According to Clause 2, Article 2 of the Law on Implementation of Grassroots-level Democracy 2022, implementing democracy at the grassroots level refers to an approach to promoting the People's mastery to enable citizens, public officials, staff members and employees to be informed, express their will, aspiration and view point through the process of consultation, contribution of opinions, decision making, inspection and supervision of issues at the grassroots level in accordance with the national Constitution and law.

2. Entitlements and obligations of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy in Vietnam

2.1. Entitlements of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy in Vietnam

According to Article 5 of the Law on Implementation of Grassroots-level Democracy 2022, the entitlements of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy include:

- Have access to disclosure and request provision of adequate, accurate and timely information in accordance with law.

- Propose initiatives, contribute opinions, discuss and decide on matters relating to implementation of democracy at the grassroots level in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws.

- Carry out inspection and supervision relating to; file petitions, complaints, grievances and lawsuits against decisions and offences against law on the implementation of grassroots democracy in accordance with law.

- Receive recognition, respect, protection and get assured of legitimate rights and interests in the implementation of democracy at the grassroots level in accordance with the provisions of law.

2.2. Obligations of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy in Vietnam

According to Article 6 of the Law on Implementation of Grassroots-level Democracy 2022, the obligations of citizens to implementation of grassroots democracy include:

- Comply with laws regarding implementation of grassroots democracy.

- Contribute opinions about survey questions raised at the grassroots level in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws.

- Abide by decisions of residential community, local authorities, agencies, units and employing entities.

- Promptly file complaints, petitions and grievances to competent authorities when detecting any violation against law on implementation of democracy at the grassroots level.

- Respect and protect social order, safety, and national interests, legitimate rights and interests of natural or legal persons.

3. Measures for assurance of implementation of grassroots democracy in Vietnam

Measures for assurance of implementation of grassroots democracy include:

- Provide training to enhance professional skills and qualification for persons tasked with enforcing law on implementation of democracy at grassroots level.

- Strengthen the work of information, propaganda, dissemination and education of the law on the implementation of democracy at grassroots level; raise public awareness about ensuring the implementation of democracy at the grassroots level.

- Enhance the responsibilities of institutions and entities, the role as a man of exemplary character of officeholders, Party members, public officials, staff members, public employees and part-timers at communes, villages and residential quarters in the implementation of democracy at grassroots level, and the role in ensuring the implementation of democracy at the grassroots level; consider implementation of democracy at the grassroots level by communes, institutions and entities as an indicator used for assessment of performance.

- Give credit or awards to men of exemplary character or persons achieving much success in duly promoting and implementing the grassroots democracy; detect and strictly sanction institutions, entities or persons violating the law on implementation of democracy at grassroots level.

- Provide support or incentive for the application of information technology, science and technology advances, and the use of technical instrumentalities or equipment, and other necessary conditions for implementation of grassroots democracy in line with the progress in building e-government, digital government and digital society.

(Article 8 of the Law on Implementation of Grassroots-level Democracy 2022)

The Law on Implementation of Grassroots-level Democracy 2022 takes effect from July 1, 2023.

Thanh Rin

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