Decree-Law No. 229/SL On the Issuance of Ethnic Policy

DECREE-LAW

No. 229/SL dated April 29, 1955

PRESIDENT OF THE VIETNAMESE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Pursuant to the ethnic policy promulgated by the Government on June 22, 1953,

In accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers at its meeting on December 23, 1954,

Pursuant to the resolution of the National Assembly during its fourth session which approved the policy for establishing autonomous regions for ethnic groups in areas with appropriate conditions,

ENACTS THE FOLLOWING DECREE-LAW:

Article 1: The Government's ethnic policy aims at strengthening unity among ethnic groups and creating favorable conditions for their rapid progress in all aspects.

Article 2: All ethnic groups residing on the territory of Vietnam are equally entitled to all democratic freedoms, and must unite and support each other to struggle for peace, unification, independence, and democracy throughout the country.

Any act that discriminates against, oppresses, or divides ethnic groups is strictly prohibited. Such acts also oppose broad-minded nationalistic ideas and narrow-minded ethnocentric thoughts.

Article 3: In areas where ethnic minority populations live in concentrated communities with appropriate conditions, autonomous regions for these ethnic groups shall be established. These autonomous regions are parts of the Vietnamese Democratic Republic, subject to unified direction by the Central Government and subordinate to higher-level authorities. Depending on the size of the region, it may be equivalent to a district, province, or zone.

The government and people in autonomous regions must adhere to the general policies and guidelines of the Vietnamese Democratic Republic when managing their internal affairs.

In areas with diverse ethnic minority populations intermingled, as well as within autonomous regions, administrative bodies should have an appropriate number of representatives corresponding to the population of each ethnic group locally.

Article 4:

During general elections for the National Assembly of the Vietnamese Democratic Republic, people from all ethnic groups both inside and outside autonomous regions shall have the right to vote and stand as candidates.

Article 5: Ethnic minorities in Vietnam, under the unified military system of the country, are entitled to participate in the People's Army of Vietnam.

Article 6: All ethnic minorities have the freedom to develop their own languages and scripts, maintain or improve their customs and traditions, practice religion freely, and receive government assistance for development in all political, economic, cultural, and social aspects.

Article 7: The Prime Minister and the ministries shall implement this ordinance.