Natural, Economic, Political, Cultural - Social Conditions, Law Violations in the Mekong Delta Region Affect Education

Chapter 2 Summary

Legal education for Khmer ethnic minorities is a oriented and organized activity, conducted by legal education subjects according to certain content, methods and forms suitable to the cultural traditions, religions, beliefs, production and living practices of the people; forming in them legal awareness, legal sentiment and behavior in accordance with the requirements of current laws; contributing to building and strengthening the awareness of human rights and civil rights of Khmer ethnic minorities so that they can access and protect those rights effectively.

Legal education activities for Khmer ethnic minorities in the Mekong Delta have their own characteristics and play a very important role, demonstrated in the following aspects: 1) Contributing to providing, equipping, and improving legal knowledge and understanding for Khmer ethnic minorities;

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2) Contribute to building and strengthening the Khmer people's trust in the law; 3) Contribute to raising awareness of self-compliance with the law and performing legal acts for the Khmer people.

The process of legal education for Khmer ethnic minorities in the Mekong Delta is made up of the following elements: objectives, subjects, objects, contents, methods, and forms of legal education. Legal education for Khmer ethnic minorities in the Mekong Delta is always influenced by many factors, including subjective factors (educational level, psychological factors) and objective factors (economic, political, and socio-cultural factors).

From the survey of legal education activities for people in a number of countries around the world, including the French Republic, the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the Federal Republic of Australia, Thailand and Singapore, the thesis has drawn a number of lessons that can be applied to legal education work for Khmer ethnic minorities in the Mekong Delta region in accordance with the conditions and cultural characteristics of this group.

Chapter 3

CURRENT STATE OF LEGAL EDUCATION FOR KHMER ETHNIC MINORITY IN THE MEKONG DELTA

3.1. NATURAL, ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, CULTURAL - SOCIAL CONDITIONS, LAW VIOLATIONS IN THE MEKONG DELTA AFFECT LEGAL EDUCATION FOR THE KHMER ETHNIC MINORITY

3.1.1. Natural, economic, political, cultural and social conditions in the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta is located in the extreme South of the country, with a peninsula-like position, bordering Ho Chi Minh City to the Northeast, the East and South bordering the East Sea, the North bordering Cambodia, the West bordering the East Sea and the Gulf of Thailand; it is one of the large, fertile deltas of Southeast Asia and the world. The natural area of the whole region is 39,763 km 2 (accounting for 12.2% of the country's area), with a coastline of 700 km, and a sea area of over 360 thousand km 2 .

In terms of terrain, the Mekong Delta has a low, relatively flat terrain. All locations on this delta are no higher than 3 meters above sea level. The delta is divided horizontally and vertically by many canals and rivers, creating a fertile delta with rich soil. The sub-equatorial climate is hot and humid all year round with two distinct rainy and sunny seasons, abundant water resources, making production favorable all year round. Therefore, the Mekong Delta is a key food production area; a large food production area, with many favorable conditions for large-scale livestock development, especially coastal and river aquaculture, and specialized areas for high-quality fruit trees.

According to the census results on April 1, 2011, the population of the entire Mekong Delta region is

17,325,167 people, accounting for 19.8% of the country's population. The average population growth rate in the period 1999 - 2009 was 0.6%, the population density was nearly 440 people/km2 ; the proportion of women accounted for 50.2%, the proportion of the population living in urban areas was 23.2%. In terms of ethnic structure, the Mekong Delta is a land of many ethnic groups, mainly Kinh people (accounting for 90%), Khmer people (accounting for 6%), Chinese people (accounting for 2%), and the rest are Cham people. The process of cohabitation of ethnic groups in the Mekong Delta has created a combined strength, extremely great in overcoming and controlling natural disasters, building villages and hamlets.

hamlet, making this land previously just a wild jungle, later a swamp

300 years has become a fertile land, bringing a huge source of benefits from nature, the wasteland gradually narrowed, villages sprung up and economic life was increasingly improved.

Currently, the Mekong Delta region has 13 administrative units, including 01 centrally-run city, Can Tho city, and 12 provinces, including Long An, Dong Thap, An Giang, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, Tra Vinh, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Soc Trang, Bac Lieu and Ca Mau.

The above mentioned geographical - natural - social characteristics all have strong impacts, dominate and determine the economic, political, cultural - social situation of the Mekong Delta in the development process with the whole country; impact on the fields of activities in the area, including the legal education for Khmer ethnic minorities.

In the past time, implementing Resolution No. 21/NQ-TW, dated January 20, 2003 of the Politburo on the direction, tasks, and solutions for socio-economic development and ensuring security and defense in the Mekong Delta region in the period of 2001 - 2010 [see: 12], the Politburo and the Secretariat have paid attention to leadership, the Government has made many decisions and solutions for implementation, ministries, branches at the Central level and People's Committees of provinces and people of localities have made efforts to implement; thanks to that, the Mekong Delta region has developed quite comprehensively in terms of economy, politics, culture and society, contributing positively to the overall development of the whole country; creating favorable conditions for implementing GDPL for the people.

3.1.1.1. Economic

The economy of the provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta has developed quite rapidly, the economic structure has shifted in a positive direction, production efficiency has been improved, investment resources have been well mobilized, and the investment environment has been improved. The average economic growth rate (GDP) of the whole region in the period 2001 - 2010 reached 11.7%/year. The economic structure has shifted towards increasing the proportion of regions II and III, and reducing the proportion of region I. The production value in 2010 (compared to 1994 prices) reached 336,924 billion VND, 3.5 times higher than in 2001, an average increase of 11.87%/year. The export turnover in 2010 reached 9.3 billion USD, of which exports reached 6.83 billion USD, an average growth rate of 17.8%. Per capita income increased 2.5 times compared to 2010. Budget revenue reached 28,101 billion VND, an increase of 6 times compared to 2010. Total local budget expenditure was 199,403 billion VND, an average increase of

20.6%/year; of which development investment expenditure was 69,432 billion VND, an average increase of 21.4%/year. Investment capital mobilization reached 627,000 billion VND, of which private and social investment capital was 488,000 billion VND, accounting for 77.8%. The investment environment was improved, the competitiveness index (PCI) of provinces/cities were all in the good, good and very good groups [see 7, pp.1-2].

Agriculture, forestry and fishery have developed comprehensively, with increasing productivity and quality, gradually forming concentrated and specialized production areas, promoting the advantages of the region's key products (rice, aquatic products, fruits), demonstrating the role of a major economic center in rice production, aquaculture and fishing of the whole country; export items have increased rapidly. The total production value of the industry has increased from 56,292 billion VND to

101,000 billion VND in 2010, average growth of 6.9%/year; profit increased from 20.2 million VND in 2001 to nearly 38 million VND/ha of agricultural land.

Industry is focused on development, gradually exploiting the region's strengths in agricultural processing industry, initially focusing on investment to promote advantages in oil and gas, energy, thermal power and mechanical industries. Industrial production value has increased continuously over the years, reaching 79,985.1 billion VND in 2010, with an average increase of 15.6% per year in the period 2001 - 2010.

Trade, services, tourism, information and communication have developed quite rapidly, meeting the needs of production, consumption and people's lives. The supply and distribution of goods to the people have made much progress, meeting essential needs. Total retail sales and service revenue increased from 47,073 billion VND in 2001 to 277,487.9 billion VND in 2010, an average of 21.8%/year; in which, some service sectors have had quite good growth rates such as retail services, transportation, tourism. Financial, monetary, consulting services... have received investment and development attention from localities. Postal and telecommunications infrastructure has been widely invested from urban areas to remote areas, border areas, and islands to serve the leadership and management of local authorities, ensuring smooth communication for economic development, natural disaster prevention and security and national defense.

Investment in infrastructure construction has made a breakthrough, basic traffic infrastructure has been formed, linked with irrigation; the whole region has basically completed the goal of building residential clusters, routes and houses in flood-prone areas, urban areas have been invested and upgraded. Traffic and irrigation infrastructure has developed, linking inter-regional traffic.

region, contributing to rapidly changing the face of urban, rural and ethnic minority areas, initially meeting the needs of investment, development and social security. The rural transport system has been gradually upgraded and expanded; by the end of 2010, the whole region had car roads to 1,161 commune centers. With many sources of capital, especially socialized capital, the whole region has eliminated over 4,013 monkey bridges. Many residential areas have developed into new urban and rural areas, bringing practical results, contributing significantly to economic development, ensuring social security; helping to stabilize the residence of 132,371 households in deep flooded areas, including Khmer ethnic minorities.

The achievements in economic development of the Mekong Delta have contributed to improving the material life and living conditions of the people in general and the Khmer ethnic minority in particular. These are favorable conditions to help the activities of the Khmer ethnic minority in the Mekong Delta become more systematic, stable, in-depth and substantial.

3.1.1.2. On politics, security and defense

Party committees at all levels pay attention to building a clean and strong Party and perfecting the political system. Local Party committees have basically completed the contents of Party building and building a clean and strong political system; the effectiveness and efficiency of state management have been increasingly improved. The whole region currently has 8,492 party organizations and bases with 409,864 party members, of which ethnic minority party members have

14,267 people, party members who are religious followers have 29,234 people. The planning, training, sourcing, rotation and use of cadres are focused on, many cadres who are ethnic minorities have been trained and structured into high-level leadership agencies of the Party and State. Each term of the Party Central Committee has from 01 to 02 members of the Party Central Committee who are ethnic minorities.

The government apparatus has been focused on rectifying, perfecting, and gradually standardizing cadres according to regulations. Some localities have recruited university and college graduates to work in communes, wards, and towns. Attention has been paid to investing in facilities such as offices and working equipment for commune and district levels. The campaign to study and follow the moral example of Ho Chi Minh has been directed by local Party committees and achieved many practical results, many typical examples have been commended and replicated. Party committees at all levels have focused on closely leading the preparation steps for documents, personnel, and conditions to ensure the good organization of the congress.

Party committees at all levels. The Fatherland Front and mass organizations have actively strengthened their organizations, innovated their content and methods of operation, and attracted more and more members.

National defense and security were maintained, and foreign affairs achieved many important results. The national defense and people's security posture in the region were consolidated and enhanced, especially in key areas, borders, and islands, ensuring the construction of a solid defense zone. The coordination between national defense and security and socio-economic development was increasingly effective. Border provinces maintained friendly relations with Cambodia, and had many synchronous solutions to defeat all sabotage plots of hostile forces, especially effectively fighting against reactionary exile organizations and foreign reactionary groups that sabotaged our country. Timely handling of sensitive issues related to ethnicity and religion in accordance with policies and laws; better resolving mass, over-level, and prolonged complaints; doing a good job of propaganda and raising awareness for monks, cadres, and Khmer people; strengthening the assurance of stability and security in the country and on the border, sea, and islands.

Local authorities and armed forces have well implemented the tasks of ensuring security and defense, maintaining political stability. The functional forces have done a good job of grasping the situation, strictly managing subjects and areas, promptly detecting and effectively preventing activities of collusion, gathering forces, propaganda, incitement and distortion by opposing organizations and individuals, contributing to maintaining security and sovereignty on the border.

Political stability and maintaining security and defense in the Mekong Delta, especially in areas with a large number of Khmer ethnic minorities, have had a positive impact on the Khmer ethnic community, helping people feel secure and confident in the Party's leadership and the State's legal policies; thereby, legal education activities for Khmer ethnic minorities have also achieved higher efficiency.

3.1.1.3. On culture and society

Education, vocational training, job creation, poverty reduction, and health care have made much progress; people's lives, especially in the Khmer ethnic minority region, have improved. The network of schools and classes from kindergarten to high school has developed widely and is increasingly distributed reasonably. School facilities have been invested in, and the number of teachers and students has increased rapidly. Provinces with a large Khmer ethnic minority have

Ethnic boarding schools, currently have 26 schools with more than 7,500 students, accounting for 10.27% of ethnic minority students studying in secondary schools. Vocational training is associated with job creation, labor export, poverty reduction, meeting social labor needs. The whole region currently has 336 vocational training facilities with 95 district-level vocational training centers, 3 times higher than in 2001.

The medical network has been upgraded and expanded, facilities of provincial and district hospitals and commune health stations have been invested in, and the quality of medical examination and treatment has been increasingly improved.

Health policies and health care for ethnic minorities have always been of concern. Ethnic minority health facilities have been invested in and developed, gradually meeting national standards according to new criteria. The number and quality of ethnic minority health workers have been improved. As of 2013, there were about 2,300 ethnic minority health workers in the area [97, p.3].

There have been many advances in the socio-cultural fields, and life has been improved day by day. Along with economic development, localities in the region have paid great attention to socio-cultural issues. There have been advances in the socio-cultural fields. The movement for the whole people to unite to build a cultural life in residential areas has had increasingly practical effects. Cultural, artistic, physical education and sports, press, publishing, radio and television activities have been invested in and developed, with rich content and improved program quality, increasingly meeting the information and entertainment needs of the people. The Vietnam Television Center and the Voice of Vietnam Station in the Mekong Delta have improved the quality of Khmer language programs with a broadcasting time of 16 hours/day and a broadcasting time of 6 hours/day. Some provinces with a large Khmer ethnic population have Khmer language newspapers and television programs [see 7, p.5].

Local Party committees and authorities pay attention to implementing ethnic and religious policies, programs and projects on socio-economic development, hunger eradication and poverty reduction in ethnic minority areas. The awareness of self-reliance and overcoming poverty in ethnic minority areas has been raised, many households have escaped poverty and become quite rich. In many places, there have appeared collective models and individuals of ethnic minorities who are good at doing business.

The poverty rate of the whole region (according to the new standard) by 2010 decreased to 13.45%; creating jobs for an average of 375,000 workers/year; the rate of rural people provided with clean water reached over 87%. Up to now, the localities

Local authorities in the region have supported 88,665 houses for poor ethnic minorities; supported residential land for 2,580 households, production land for 2,756 households, vocational training for 5,986 workers, and created jobs for 10,657 workers; supported loans to buy machinery and labor tools for 524 households. The policy of price and freight subsidies and support for ethnic minorities with special difficulties in 6 provinces of the Mekong Delta has been over 100 billion VND, helping over 3,000 households borrow capital to develop production... the poverty rate among ethnic minorities has decreased by an average of 4%/year; by the end of 2010, only 24% of households were poor [18, p.86].

The intellectual level of ethnic minorities has been gradually improved; traditional culture has been preserved and promoted. "The traditional cultural values of ethnic minorities are respected and created conditions for preservation and development in a very practical way, which has an effect on the spiritual life of the people" [97, p.4]. In 2014, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognized the Ooc Om Bok Festival of the Khmer people in Tra Vinh province and the Du Ke Stage Art of the Khmer people in Soc Trang province as national intangible cultural heritage. Along with the Ngo Boat Racing Festival, Cham Rieng Art, Cha Pay Art, Du Ke Stage Art is a national intangible cultural heritage - a very good condition for preserving and promoting Khmer cultural values. The material and spiritual life of ethnic minorities in many aspects has been improved and enhanced. State management of religion has received more attention from local Party committees and authorities. Religious activities and beliefs of ethnic minorities are respected and facilitated. Most religions operate in accordance with the law; many religious dignitaries, officials, and monks actively participate in social charity activities.

3.1.2. The situation of law violations in the Khmer ethnic minority area in

Mekong Delta

In recent years, along with the economic, cultural and social development, legal education activities for Khmer ethnic minorities in the Mekong Delta have received special attention; thereby, creating positive changes in raising awareness of the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws; contributing greatly to ensuring security, order and social safety in the region. However, the situation of law violations in the region with a large Khmer ethnic minority in the Mekong Delta is still complicated, with an increase in criminal law violations; potentially causing political instability and social order and safety in the region.

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