National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

“ No Member of the National Assembly can be prosecuted for specches made or votes cast by him in the Assembly. In case he is caught in an illegal act, a Member of the National Assembly can be immediately arrested, but the Standing Committee of the National Assembly must be informed within twenty-four hours at the latest. The Standing Committee or the National Assembly itself, if it is in session, will decide the matter. If a Member of the National Assembly becomes disqualified for election, he must give up his seat. ”

“ In each province or municipality, urban center and commune, there exists a people's council elected by universal and direct ballot. The people's councils of provinces, municipalities, urban centers and communes elect in turn an administrative committee. ”

“ All citizens over 18 years of age without distinction of sex enjoy the right to vote, except for the insane and those deprived of civil rights. Anyone who stands for election must enjoy the right to vote and, in addition, be at least 21 years old and know how to read and write in Vietnamese. Citizens in active military service also enjoy the right to vote and to stand for election. ”

“ Primary education is compulsory and free. In the regions inhabited by ethnic minorities, students shall have the right to receive primary school education in the language of that minority. The State grants support to poor students. Private schools may be opened freely, and shall teach according to the State-issued curriculum. Article 16. Foreigners persecuted for their actions for freedom and democracy are granted the right of asylum on Vietnamese soil. Part C. Election, Recall, and Referendum Article 17. Elections are by universal suffrage. ”

“ The August Revolution has recovered sovereignty for the nation and freedom for the people and set up the democratic republican regime. After eighty years of struggle, the Vietnamese nation has cast off the colonial yoke and subsequently overthrown the monarchic regime. ”

“ All Vietnamese citizens are equal in every respect in political, economic and cultural matters. Article 7. All Vietnamese citizens are equal before the law and can take part in public activities and the building of the Fatherland according to their abilities and moral qualities. Article 8. In addition to having equality of rights, persons belonging to ethnic minorities should be given every kind of help by the State so that they may quickly reach the common level of the nation. Article 9. Women are equal to men in every respect. ”

“ Citizens of ethnic minorities have the right to be heard before the court in their mother tongues. Article 67. Hearings are public save in exceptional cases. The accused has the right to defend himself or use the counsel of a lawyer. ”

“ The rights and interests of manual and intellectual workers are guaranteed. Article 14. The State helps the elderly and the disabled who are incapable of providing for themselves. It attends to the education of children. ”