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Warnings: Misusing civil society to create opposite forces agaisnt the State
Warnings: Misusing civil society to create opposite forces agaisnt the State
10/7/17
The rapid growth of the past two decades has
transformed Vietnam economically and socially, raising living standards and
lifting millions out of poverty. This growth has generated new and more complex
development challenges, from environmental degradation to rising income
inequality. Basic public services such as health, education, and clean water
are under serious stress, and the government is struggling to maintain adequate
standards and ease of access for all citizens. More and more Vietnamese civil
society organizations (CSOs) are emerging, responding to the country’s needs
through a variety of approaches, from independent research and policy advocacy
to charity work.
Civil society is the "aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions
that manifest interests and will of citizens". Civil society includes the family and
the private sphere, referred to as the "third sector" of society,
distinct from government and business. Institutions
composing civil society may be for-profit or not-for-profit.
Broadly, there are five important decree/laws
currently in existence, which govern different elements of civil society
organisations in Vietnam. The laws and decrees show clarity of purpose for
cooperatives, CBOs and charities. The Grassroots Democracy Decree 79 (2003)
institutionalises the participation of local communities/CBOs/organisations of
the poor in development activities at the level of the commune. This is seen as
an important step in the development of civil society in Vietnam. The law on
Cooperatives recognises cooperatives as voluntary organisations functioning as
independent economic entities. The law on Science and Technology recognises
professional associations as independent service organisations with the only
option available to most development NGOs. The decree 177 recognises charity
and social funds. Lastly, the law on Associations is currently under revision
by the NGO Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is hoped that the
law, which is in its 10th draft, will define the concept of NGOs along with
their role, function and management arrangements.
Development of civil society in Vietnam Since the
first National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1935, Party
considerations of social organization in Vietnam have focused on the
development of mass organizations. They maintain large memberships (Women’s
Union - 12 million; Farmers’ association – 8 million; General Federation of
Trade Union – 4.2 million; Youth Union – 5.1 million; Veterans’ Association –
1.92 million) operating through extensive bureaucratic structures at central,
provincial, district and local levels and continue to play a dominant role in
civic life in Vietnam. Professional associations have also operated at both
national and local levels since independence. Although mass organizations
continue to dominate the space for civil society, the Doi Moi reforms since
1986 have helped to catalyze greater diversity of civic life. There has been an
increase in public awareness of the contribution of non-government actors, as
many new civil society organizations have emerged to engage in a wide range of
issues, from environmental protection to gender equality and disaster relief.
But, following the boom of CSOs challenges have
emerged, threatened and undermined the country’s national security and public
order. Hostile forces at home and abroad have taken advantages of the
government’s favourable policies of developing SCOs to carry out their wicked
schemes in order to damage and overthrow the country’s political system. It can
be listed out some that are illegally operating in Vietnam such as Network of
Vietnamese Bloggers, the League of Independent Vietnamese Writers, Former
Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience, Vietnamese Women for human rights, Bloc
8406, Association of Bau Bi Tuong Than, the Independent Journalist Association
of Vietnam, the Vietnam’s Inter-Religious Council, the Brotherhood for Democracy,
No-U club, Lê Hiếu Đằng Club, etc. These groups have also been controlled and
supported from outside forces. They have launched many activities that cost
damages to the country’s national interests and security. There is need for
management and supervision of these SCOs in Vietnam.
According to Vietnam’s laws, all CSOs in Vietnam are
required to register with a relevant government body, a professional or
umbrella organization, a ministry, or local government entity. As such, the
organization a CSO registers with depends both on whom the CSO approaches and
also on whether the particular umbrella body or agency is willing to accept the
CSO.
Regional variations in registration status are also
reflected in the ease with which CSOs were able to register. In Hanoi, 38
organizations stated that they encountered no difficulty during the
registration process.
Reasons for optimism varied. Sixty-four percent of
organizations surveyed believe strongly in their organizational direction,
while 26% noted the continuing availability of donor funding despite rising
average incomes in Vietnam. Twenty percent believe that state policy toward
civil society and NGOs is moving in a positive direction.
The growth in the number of legally recognized
professional associations, research and training centers, institutes, and NGOs
as well as thousands of informal and unregistered groups currently existing in
Vietnam reflects a relatively more hospitable environment provided by the state
for civic engagement. The development of a more vibrant civil society sector is
a natural outcome of a more open economic system and society, increasingly
connected to regional and global trends and information networks./.
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All comments [ 10 ]
It is a dangerous trick that needs to be settled, all nations and international organizations must cooperate to cope with it.
There are many civil society organizations operating in Vietnam now, the government needs to monitor and manage their activities in accordance with the laws.
Behind these civil society organizations are foreign hostile forces, they have used these as a plot to oppose Vietnam's State and Party.
Many anti-Vietnam elements have abused civil society as a tool to conduct their scheme of sabotaging the country.
Vietnam is so free environment for civil society organizations!
People should be alert at these civil society organizations's activities. Do not take part in any bad movements that would harm you!
All organizations in Vietnam must operate in accordance with the laws and for the country's interests.
Yes, any foreign civil organizations must be managed under the country's laws and regulations.
The government should have measures to monitor these civil society organizations, do not let them be controlled by hostile forces.
Many civil society organizations have operated opposite with the government's policies. They must be handled with!
Your comments