Hanoi (VNA) – Lawmakers held group discussions in the afternoon of May 15 to deliberate the draft Law on Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, as part of the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly (NA).
Most deputies agreed on the necessity of enacting the law to improve the legal framework for Vietnam’s involvement in UN peacekeeping missions.
The discussions focused on several key aspects, including the scope of regulations, applicable subjects; the role and function of Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces; state management of peacekeeping participation; the authority, procedures for dispatching, adjusting, and extending service terms; as well as policies and entitlements for personnel engaged in UN peacekeeping activities.
Regarding provisions on preferential treatment in training and human resource deployment, Le Quang Dao, a deputy of Phu Yen province, proposed that ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial People’s Committees will be assigned to offer favourable policies in training, job placement, recruitment, and selection of those who have completed peacekeeping missions. He also called for clearer regulations on commendations and insurance coverage for those injured, taken ill, or deceased in the line of duty.
Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, who is a deputy of Binh Duong province, highlighted that the draft law has incorporated provisions allowing for the participation of civilian personnel to diversify Vietnam’s peacekeeping contributions. It also clearly defines the specific fields in which Vietnam will engage within UN peacekeeping operations.
He further clarified that in emergency situations directly threatening the lives or assets of Vietnam’s peacekeeping forces, following standard reporting procedures could result in missed opportunities for response. Therefore, the drafting body has proposed that, in urgent and emergency cases, the ministry in charge will be granted the authority to order the immediate withdrawal of forces without delay./.
