Thua Thien- Hue (VNA) - Recommendations on the draft Law on Associations were collected from social organisations during a consultation workshop in central Thua Thien-Hue province on January 15.

The involved organisations described how the current laws affect their ability to provide important social services to vulnerable groups in their region.

“The Law on Associations will be the legal basis to ensure and create favourable conditions for citizens to exercise their right of forming association, and enhance the effectiveness of State management, while ensuring the implementation of Vietnam’s international commitments on human rights” explained Dr. Nguyen Tat Giap, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics at the consultation.

Meanwhile, Scott Ciment, UNDP Policy Advisor on Rule of Law and Civil Society, highlighted that getting feedback from the citizens and associations at local level will help the Government understand current constraints which make it difficult for the associations to provide social services locally.

“Their insights will help the Government draft a final version of the law that empowers civil society and provides clear and simplified rules for registering and operating nationally and locally”, he added.

The consultation workshop is one of activities of the UNDP-funded project “Legal framework for social organisations in some countries and experiences for Vietnam”, which aims to prepare a report on the draft Law on Association and other laws related to the creation of a legal framework for non-profit association to register and operate in Vietnam.

Other consultations will be organized in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Dak Lak, Can Tho and Hanoi.-VNA
VNA