Religious political news

VN rejects allegations of religious persecution (11-01-2005) HA NOI — Viet Nam has refuted accusations by the Human Rights Watch organisation that claim ethnic minority Protestants living in Tay Nguyen ( the Central Highlands) were arrested and mistreated this past December. Responding to a question put forth by an AP correspondent, Le Dung, a spokesperson for Viet Nam’s Foreign Ministry, said during this Christmas season Catholic followers nation-wide, including those from ethnic groups in Tay Nguyen, had a very merry Christmas. Dung confirmed that there have been no cases of ethnic minority Protestants being arrested or tortured in the period of December 12-24, 2004, as was reported by the Human Rights Watch. — VNS … [Read more...] about VN rejects allegations of religious persecution

Religious Affairs Committee meets to draw plans for 2005 (20-01-2005) HA NOI — The Government Committee for Religious Affairs met in Ha Noi yesterday to initiate plans for 2005 and to review the progress made in 2004. Last year, legislation was updated to ensure religious freedom and to maintain political stability in the society. One of the main activities for the committee this year is to disseminate the Ordinance on Religions and Beliefs, the Government Decree and other legal documents that guide the implementation of the Ordinance. The committee said it aimed to provide sound advice to the Government and the Prime Minister on religious management policies. It pledged to facilitate activities inside and outside the country for religious organisations and their dignitaries. However, it also voiced its determination to co-operate with relevant agencies and local governments to encourage religious dignitaries and personalities to expose those who abuse Viet Nam’s … [Read more...] about Religious Affairs Committee meets to draw plans for 2005

VN stresses religious equality at ASEM forum (26-07-2005) by Thu Giang BALI, Indonesia — Viet Nam has always carried out a consistent policy on religion that respects and guarantees citizens’ right to freedom of belief and religion, or the right to non-religion, and equality amongst religions, said the general director of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs, Dang Tai Tinh. Tinh made the statement on the sidelines of the Interfaith Dialogue of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) which concluded a two-day meeting last Friday on the island of Bali in Indonesia. Also attending the dialogue, Priest Phan Khac Tu, vice chairman and general secretary of the Viet Nam Committee for Catholic Unity, said that Viet Nam was no longer influenced by foreign political powers after national reunification in 1975. The equality of different religions has been stabilised since that time. Moreover, Tu said, a popular social association has been formed in Viet Nam called … [Read more...] about VN stresses religious equality at ASEM forum

Foreign Ministry repudiates claims of religious repression (05-11-2005) HA NOI — Viet Nam rejects allegations in a press release issued by the Freedom House on Thursday asserting that Viet Nam is repressing minority Christians, Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung said yesterday. The press release claimed that members of the Hmong minority in Chi Ca Commune, Xin Man District, Ha Giang Province were beaten by border patrol soldiers and local paramilitary because they are Christians, Dung said. Viet Nam respects the right to religious freedom of its citizens, Dung said. Many legal documents have been enacted to this effect, he noted, among them the Prime Minister’s directive on Protestant affairs. Fully absorbing legal documents on beliefs and religions, both central and local governments have been realising these documents with a view to facilitating religious followers in practicing their faiths, Dung added. — VNS … [Read more...] about Foreign Ministry repudiates claims of religious repression

Viet Nam respects religious freedoms, says President (07-05-2007) President Nguyen Minh Triet shakes hands with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang Ha Noi — Viet Nam will always respect an individual’s rights to freely choose their own religion, beliefs and methods of worship in order to promote favourable conditions so people from all creeds and backgrounds feel welcome within the country. That was the message delivered by President Nguyen Minh Triet as he met with world renowned Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and his French-based entourage in Ha Noi last Saturday. "Religion and belief are spiritual needs and are part of our people. They will be with us for the entirety of our socialist construction process," he said. The State leader called Hanh’s trip to Viet Nam an extremely positive contribution to domestic religious activities and expressed his delight at the Zen Master’s affection for his homeland. The President said he … [Read more...] about Viet Nam respects religious freedoms, says President

Deputy PM discusses diversity with Indonesia religious head (05-09-2007) HA NOI — Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung met with Bahrul Hayat, secretary general of the Religious Affairs Ministry of Indonesia. Hung said that Viet Nam had 54 ethnic groups which shared many different religions. He said that respecting religious and ethnic diversity was a main priority for the Party and State and was a cornerstone of any fair, democratic and civilised society. He said Viet Nam wanted to exchange experiences on State management with Indonesia to raise the effectiveness of religious work in Viet Nam. Bahrul Hayat said Viet Nam and Indonesia had many similar points of history and culture. He said he hoped the two nations would work more closely on religious matters. On the same day, Bahrul Hayat had a working session with a delegation from the Vietnamese Government Committee for Religious Affairs, led by its deputy head, Nguyen Thanh Xuan. — VNS … [Read more...] about Deputy PM discusses diversity with Indonesia religious head