Representatives of overseas Vietnamese had a close look at the draft amendments to the 1992 Constitution, at a conference held by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) in Hanoi on January 17.

Their commentary focused on human rights, basic citizen rights and responsibilities, political and economic systems and the Government protection for legitimate rights of Vietnamese community abroad.

The 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, chairwoman 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 stipulations of citizen’s rights.

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

In the opinion of Nguyen Hoai Bac, chairman of the management board of the Vietnam-Canada Vocation School, there should be a provision giving the same rights and obligations to overseas Vietnamese legally investing in Vietnam as those living in the country.

Huynh Dam, President of the VFF Central Committee, expressed his appreciation for the patriotism and sense of responsibility of Vietnamese people overseas, as reflected in their active contribution of ideas towards the revised Constitution.

Dam said that he looked forward to hearing further comments from the community.-VNA