Draft strategy for democratic transition of government in post communist VN

Draft strategy for democratic transition in post-communist Vietnam

(Reforming the administrative system, armed forces, public security and legal system of Vietnam)

Author: Tang Duc Dao, solicitor

Introduction:

 

Why is there a need to pen this draft strategy for democratic transition?

 

In addition to the book "On the struggle for democracy in Vietnam" that I wrote before the Vietnam Democracy Federation was established in 2010, the Federation has had the following strategies:

1. To demolish the Marxist-Leninist political order through the book "A Critique of the 2013 Vietnamese Constitution"

2. To outline a democratic post-communist political order through the book "Draft Constitution for Vietnam on the bases of constitutionalism, the rule of law and pluralism"

3. To build a post-communist civil society through the book "Bilingual manual on the formation of associations within the context of civil society in Vietnam" now edited and renamed “Bi-lingual manual on associations and civil society in Vietnam”

 

The above books are either bilingual or have English versions and foreigners as well as Vietnamese can refer to them to learn about the direction of the democratization process in general. Their 2024 Editions can be viewed on the Website: www.daotangduc.blogspot.com.

 

However, there is still an extremely important missing link. That is how to transition peacefully, non-violently and effectively, from an authoritarian, cumbersome, conservative government apparatus to a democratic, progressive government worthy of our people.

The former communist countries of Eastern Europe have succeeded in this process of democratic transition.

The Vietnam Restoration Party (one of three organizations party to the formation of the Vietnam Democracy Federation in 2010: The Dong Tam Association, The Saigon for Saigon Movement and The Vietnam Restoration Party) has highly appreciated the democratization experience in Eastern Europe very early.

The Vietnam Restoration Party organized in the Czech capital the PRAHA '95 Conference titled "Experience in the Democratization of Eastern Europe" from September 5 to 7, 1995.

According to the 35th Yearbook of the Vietnam's Restoration Party 1978-2014, "On the afternoon of September 5, 1995, President Václav Havel of the Czech Republic officially received a delegation of free Vietnamese people in the capital city of Prague, Czech Republic. The Vietnamese delegation led by Mr. Tran Quoc Bao, Chairman of the Vietnam Restoration Party, consisted of 13 people, including two women, religious leaders, representatives of political and community organizations, civil society and media, from many countries around the world.”

This strategy for democratic transition is a continuation and further development of the spirit of the PRAHA 95 Conference mentioned above.

In addition to specifically meeting the need for democratic transition, the strategy also fully demonstrates the following:

 

1. State employees at all levels: State employees in the regime's infrastructure, from the central to local levels, will realize that the democratic transition brings comprehensive benefits not only to the nation as a whole but also to themselves as professionals. This transition, to a certain extent respectfully returns to state employees at all levels, the self-respect of true state employees, serving the people in the spirit of justice and fearlessness, devoid of illegal pressure from any ideological, sectional or other sources.

2. Soldiers: This democratic transition also respectfully returns to Vietnamese soldiers the sacred right and duty to protect the ancestral land and the people. It rightfully returns to soldiers the honor and responsibility of the armed forces as a collective entity standing above and beyond the normal political disputes within a genuine democracy.

3. Police and public security personnel: This democratic transition also restores honor to the nation's police and public security personnel. They will have the opportunity to become the protector of public security and order as well as the livelihood and property of all citizens. They will be the objects of genuine admiration and gratitude from the people.

In addition, except for military personnel, who will have a special fair salary adjustment system according to the law, other public employees, including law enforcement officers such as police, will be represented by independent unions who will truly fight for their rights and wages. Their careers will also be sustainable and secure within the scope of just laws. In addition to independent unions fighting for their rights, there are also impartial courts, adjudicating disputes between the government as employers and themselves as employees, if there is a dispute.

Governments may come and go in a true democracy, but the police will always serve the nation and their positions are highly respected by the people.

4. Judges in the Vietnamese legal system: They will have their revered position, as pillars in a genuine rule of law democracy. Not only is their position well respected, but their salary and rank will surpass many other segments of society, worthy of the noble responsibility of protecting justice without fear or favor.

 

From such understanding, all sectors of government will view the democratization process, as well as the democratic transition process, with more understanding and sympathy.

Tang Duc Dao

Constitution Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Wednesday March 28, 2024