Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hanoi (Agenzia Fides) - There are "positive developments, but also a number of serious problems regarding religious freedom in Vietnam": says the report presented to the Human Rights Council of the United Nations by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion, Heiner Bielefeldt. The text highlights "legal and administrative restrictions" of freedom and "a negative attitude towards the rights of minorities and those who practice non-registered religions".
The Report notes the lack of clarity in the law, decrees and documents that regulate life and official registration for religious communities. "The right of an individual or group to freedom of religion is not created by an administrative procedure", notes the text, but there is as inalienable right of individual conscience. "The registration of a community should be at the service of this human right" and not become an excuse to suffer abuse, restrictions, arrests.
The UN report also contains a number of recommendations to the government, like that of "expanding the very limited space for religious pluralism in Vietnam", to adopt the law on freedom of religion in line with international conventions; reduce the restrictions on religious communities.
In a note sent to Fides, the NGO "Christian Solidarity Worldwide" says: "Although there have been some improvements, full religious freedom has yet to become a reality for many individuals and communities in Vietnam, including Christians, Catholics and Protestants, belonging to ethnic minorities". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/03/2015)
