Association to Protect Freedom of Religion, January 2018
PART I: OVERVIEW ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN VIETNAM IN October-December 2017
At a meeting of Vietnam’s National Assembly in November 2017, legislators discussed the draft Law of Religion. Some legislators voiced about the freedom of religions in Vietnam, saying the state still restricts the right to the freedom of religions and belief with a ask-approve mechanism.
LegislatorLuu Thanh Cong from Vinh Long did not agree with the regulations requesting followers of religions and beliefs to strictly obey by state agencies’ requirements while implementing the charter. He emphasized that “In the draft law, there are 20 times saying religious organizations are requested to ask for approval from state agencies. There are few articles in which the state guarantees the right to freedom of religions and beliefs of people.”
The state should not intervene in promotions and dismissals of religious clergy by religious groups, legislator Cong said, adding there things are rights of the religious organizations and the government should not use administrative orders to intervene.
Thestate should determine or verify the citizenship of religious clerks, and based on that, religious groups will make their own decisions on promotion of clergy, said legislator Cong. He proposed clear division of promotion and election of the two groups of religious clergy and staff.
LegislatorVo Thi Dung from Ho Chi Minh City said the beliefs are needs of people protected and respected by the Constitution so when building policies there needs flexibility. The state agencies should not impose too many administrative measures, she said.
LegislatorLe Van Tan from the northern province of Ha Nam said the religious divisions are internal affairs of religious groups so religious groups should report but not ask for approval. Meanwhile, Quang Nam province-based legislator Le Van Lai said the definition of beliefs in the draft law is not clear and too simple. He said beliefs among Vietnamese people have big role but the draft law has not pay enough attentions to it.
Thereligious freedom in Vietnam was not improved in late months of 2017 for religions but there were more violations of state agencies in the field. Many religious groups faced harassments from the local governments when they conducted religious meetings. Authorities in Nghe An province sent police and thugs to demolish a Christmas cave of a Catholic community in Vinh diocese and suppressed local followers, not allowing them to build a sub-parish church. At the same time, Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect and Cao Dai Church in the southern provinces of Vinh Long and An Giang were also persecuted by local authorities.
However, there were some religious activities not troubled by authorities, including the gathering of more than ten of thousands of Protestant followers in a Hanoi-based stadium to participate in a Christian evangelist rally given by American pastor Franklin Graham.According to AP, this is the rare event in the country where the ruling Communist Party strive to control all aspects, from communication to religions.
TheAmerican evangelist preacher said he “don’t want to do anything that would embarrass the government or the people of Vietnamand expressed his hope that Vietnam’s government will not treat Christians as its enemies. According to him, religious freedom is being improved gradually in Vietnam.
PART II: VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COMMITTED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THE 4TH QUARTER OF 2017
2.1 Violations in October
First violation: Authorities in Trang Bom district, Dong Nai province plans to seize a land of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena Tam Hiep Monastery
PriestNguyen Quang Hoa, head of the Phu Son parish announced that authorities in Trang Bom district, Dong Nai province has a plan to grab a land lot belonging to Mong Trieu sub-parish and some families in Phu Son parish in Bac Son commine.
Along with seizing the land of the Mong Trieu sub-parish, local authorities have also grabbed othe land of people in the region, making their land unused for the past 19 years. In recent months, authorities in Trang Bom district issued a decision to seize land with a compensation price of VND5,000 ($0.2) for every square meter in a bid to sell for property development. Located on the targetted land is the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena Tam Hiep Monastery.
Local authorities are reportedly requesting the old religious facility to move to another place for site clearance.
The Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena Tam Hiep Monastery was built in 1969 on a land lot of 3.5 hectares in Phu Son village, Bac Son commune. Its nuns are engaged with kid education and training.
SisterCatarina Nguyen Thi Thien said in the past 17 years, local authorities have cut of electricity and water as well as telephone wire and Internet in a bid to force the facility to move to other place. Located not far from urban areas, the facility’s situation is like old time of thousands years, she said.
Authoritieshave also requested electricity and water cut of a cemetery of Catholic followers locatedadjaciently to the fTam Hiep Monastery, making religious events more difficult.
On October 13, 2017, the leadership of the Phu Son parish decided to build an electricity line to the cemetery despite the local authorities’ troubles. In response, Trang Bom district’s authorities ordered by telephone call to stop the work. However, Catholic followers ignored their request, continuing their works and completed the job within the day.
Second violation: Catholic followers in Nghi Loc parish request local authorities to answer about 30-year dispute over the land of the parish Thien Khai Duong School
On October 4, Head priest Giuse Nguyen Van Chinh and followers of the Nghi Loc parish gathered in the People’s Committee building in Dien Hanh commune, Dien Chau district, Nghe An province, to request the local authorities to settle the land disputes which was started 30 years ago.
Representatives of People’s Committees of Dien Chau district and Dien Hanh commune participated in the event.
During more than two working hours, authorities cannot give clear answers about the issue and like other meetings, local government’s representatives promised to settle the issue in other meetings with participation of a representative from Nghe An province’s People’s Committee.
Third violation: Terror continues over Catholic followers in Dong Kieu parish as thugs came to their private residences to demolish religious statues
On October 7, thugs supported by authorities in Dien Chau district come to the Dong Kieu parish in Dien My commune to demolish properties of local followers.
Catholic followers are not prepared for the attacks because they think that the assaults cannot be carried out with presence of police officers in the areas. Thugs came to attack Su Duyen cafeteria and private residences near the facility. Along demolishing properties, thugs also destroyed religious statues.
Four violation: Hanoi-based club offends Christians but local authorities ignor
During the evening of October 8, Fame Club located on No. 25 Ngo Van So street, Hoan Kiem district, held a recreational event in which dancers dressed with Chistian symbols and signs on the way offending Catholic and Protestant communities.
After the event, many Christian followers got angry with the event organizers, saying they seriously offended the religion.
However, authorities in Hanoi remained silent in the case. After the strong protest of Christian followers, they promized to look in the case.
According to Clause 3, Article 5 of the Law on Religions and Beliefs which will be effective on January 1, 2018, offending religions is banned act. However, there is no clear definition of the acts which can be clacified as religious offending.
However, other legal documents effective in October have no punishment for acts offending religions.
Fifth violation: Stranger enters Catholic church, replacing light lamps without permission of priest
A stranger man whom many people know as a police officer, entered the Catholic church in the Dang Cao parish, replacing light lamps in the church without permission from the head of the parish Priest Dinh Van Minh.
Local followers blocked him and searched his motorbike and found many documents distorting Catholic priests Dang Huu Nam and Nguyen Dinh Thuc, who are very active in assisting followers in Quynh Luu and Dien Chau districts in overcome consequences caused by the environmental disaster after the Taiwanese Formosa steel plant poluted the central coast with its industrial waste.
Dang Cao parishioners suggested that the man tried to threaten priest Dinh Van Minh, who often voices to protect interests of his followers.
Recently, Dang Cao followers gathered in a local government building to protest policies on taxation and fee contribbution which affect their lives and make them poorer.
Catholic priests in Vinh diocese are active in demanding Formosa pay adequate compensation for affected people and clean the environment in the central coast so they are targetted by local authorities.
Sixth violation: Two priests threatened by thugs from Red Flag group
On October 30, Priests Pham Xuan Ke from Dong Thap parish and Giuse Nguyen Ngoc Ngu from Dong Kieu parish, were invited to the headquarter of the People’s Committee in Dien My commune to work on the recent violent activities of thugs from the group so-called Red Flag, the group of pro-government thugs. The working meeting lasted from 8 AM to 10 AM.
When the meeting ended, the two priests left the building and met a group of 300 members from the Red Flag who shout angrily and threatened the two priests as well as blocked their way to their churches. The priests were forced to stay in the building until late afternoon.
The Red Flags thugs gathered in Dien My village in the Dong Kieu parish from early morning and made great noices, local followers said, adding they stayed in the region in the afternoon and left in evening of the same day.
The priests returned to their churches safely at around 7 PM.
Some followers were beaten by red thugs. Thugs used stones and wooden bars to assault Mr. Thong from Duc Thich sub-parish in Dien Hai commune under the witness of police officer from Dien My commune.
2.2Violations in November
Firstviolation: Hoa Hao Buddhist official summoned after joining organization consisting of both followers in the country and abroad
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tan, head of the Department of Communication and Liaison of the unregistered Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect, has been summoned to a police station in Dong Thanh commune. He was requested to go to meet with police officers on October 14.
The local police made this move after knowing that he had joined a coalition of Hoa Hao Buddhist followers consisting of followers in the country and abroad.
Police said his participation in the coalition is related to the national security.
Secondviolation: Members of Inter-faith Council harassed during APEC
Human Livelyhood Sect Mr. Hua Phi of the Cao Dai Church announced that during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in the central city of Danang on November 4-9 in which many world leaders participated, he was under close surveillance of police from the Central Highland province of Lam Dong who made all efforts to prevent him from going there to meet with foreigners to report violation of religious freedom.
Mr. Hua Phi said on November 4, a group of five men who introduced themselves as officers from Lam Dong province’s police came to his private residence and verbally announced that he cannot go out from November 4 until November 11. They said the request was made from the Ministry of Public Security and if he goes there, he will be arrested and deported back for interrogation.
Mr. Hua Phi objected their requirements so local authorities deployed plainclothes agents to station near his house all day and night in a bid to prevent him from going out.
Mr. Hua Phu addedthat a number of members from the Inter-faith Council were also placed under house arrest during APEC.
Third violation: Thua Thien- Hue authorities continue destroying pine forest and seizing land of Thien An Monastery
Backed by authorities in the central province of Thua Thien- Hue, many residents in Huong Thuy town continue to seize land belonging to the Thien An Monastery in early November. They also used tractors and specialized equipment to chop down many aged trees grown by monks from the monastery.
Local authorities remain silent even the monastery leadership submitted complaints about seizing its properties.
Fourthviolation: Hoa Hao Buddhist follower detained after objecting police blockage
Ms. Le Thi Hong Hanh, 38, was arrested by An Phu district police on November 13 when she was selling bread in An Phu commune. Later, she was charged with “causing public disorders” under Article 245 of the 1999 Penal Code. She is held at a temporary detention facility under the authority of the An Phu district police.
Hanh was accused of involvement in a protest in April in which many Hoa Hao Buddhist followers demonstrated against local police who barred followers to gather to the private residence of Mr. Bui Van Trung to commemorize his mother on her death day.
Trung and three other members of his family were arrested and charged with “causing public disorders.”
Trung and his son Bui Van Tham were imprisoned in 2012-2015 on allegation of conducting illegal religious meetings at his house.
Ms. Hanh was reportedly to make regular visits to Quang Minh Tu Pagoda, a religious facility of the unregistered Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect. She was once beaten brutally by undercover policemen in 2016 after participating in a religious event in the pagoda.
An official from Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect said independent religious groups have been harassed by local authorities who ban gathering and organizing religious events. Followers who protesting the local government’s policies on religious issues may be arrested and charged with some crimes.
Since April, 10 Hoa Hao Buddhist followers have been arrested and one died in police station. They were charged with “resisting on-duty state officials,” or “causing public disorders” and “conducting anti-state propaganda.”
Fifth violation: An Giang authorities demolish Triple Gate of Hoa Hao Buddhist Soldiers’ Monument
On November 16, authorities in the southern province of An Giang destroyed the Triple Gate of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Soldiers’ Monument located in Phu Tan district.
Triple Gate, a part of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Soldiers’ Monument, was built in 1966 on a 2-hectare area in the region where sect’s founder Huynh Phu So was born. Triple Gate honors generals and soldiers of Hoa Hao who fell while protecting the sect and the country.
After invading the southern region in 1975, the communist government seized the entire monument which honors thousands of fallen soldiers. It destroyed nearly the entire monument but not Triple Gate and built schools and bank buildings.
The demolishion of the monument and Triple Gate is part of the government’s plan to destroy all historic sites of the unsanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect which strives to be independent from the government.
Mr. Nguyen Van Dien, head of the sect’s Central Steering Committee, said the government has seized over 200 pagodas and schools as well as over 3,200 regional offices of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Sect since 1975.
The Hoa Hao Buddhist Sect which was formed by the government, has a plan to demolish An Hoa Tu pagoda, the last old pagoda of the sect, to build new one. However, the plan meets strong objection from followers.
Vietnam’s government unfriendly treats Hoa Hao Buddhist. The founder of the sect, Huynh Phu So, was killed by communists more than 50 years ago.
2.3 Violations in December
First violation: Hoa Hao Buddhist followers in An Giang province demanded not to organize grand parties on the 98th birthday of late Founder Huynh Phu So
Authorities in the southern province of An Giang have requested local Hoa Hao Buddhist followers not to organize parties to celebrate the 98th birthday of late Founder Huynh Phu So, who was killed by communists more than five decades ago.
The request was announced after the Central Steering Committee of the unsanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect, in its meeting on December 2, decided to organize a grand party to mark the 98th birthday of their founder.
Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong, head of the Department of Organization said all representatives from provinces agreed with our plan although An Giang province’s authorities said they will ban the event. Authorities in Cho Moi district where to host the grand party met with the sect’s officials to inform them about the ban.
From November 29, many members of the party’s organization unit were summoned to local police, including Phan Van Chung, Ha Van Duy Ho, Phan Van Be Nam and Nguyen Van Vinh. Authorities said the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect is unregistered organization so it is not permitted to hold the event.
Founder Huynh Phu So was born on November 25 of the Lunar Calendar or January 10 according to the Western calendar.
Only the registered Hoa Hao Buddhist Sect is allowed to hold religious events, including the birthday party of the sect’s founder.
Second violations: Redemptory Church priest Luu Ngoc Quynh blocked from going abroad
At 9 PM of December 5, Catholic priest Gioan Luu Ngoc Quynh from the Thai Ha Redemptory Church was stopped by security forces in the Noi Bai International Airport when he was on his way to France.
Security officers from the Noi Bai border gate cited national security as a reason for the ban. The priest was invited to Paris to participate in a religious event scheduled on December 8.
Priest Quynh is the third clergy of the Thai Ha Church barred from going abroad. In 2010, police in Hanoi also stopped priest Juse Nguyen Van Phuong from leaving the county and in June 2017, they did not permit priest Nguyen Ngoc Nam Phong from going to Australia where he would take part in a religious training program.
The bans were reprisal of the Thai Ha Church’s opposition to Hanoi’s attempt to seize its properties, and the church’s vigils in which its priests call for protection of the country’s sovereignty and criticize the government about human rights violations, systemic corruption and economic mismanagement.
After taking power in 1954 in the northern region, Vietnam’s communist government borrowed many properties of Catholic churches, including the Thai Ha Redemptory Church for hosting hospitals and schools. Recently, the government has turned these properties into public facilities or private properties without returning them to churches. The property disputes between the churches and the government has not been solved for decades.
Along with taking various tricks to prevent local activists from meeting with foreign officials and diplomats, Vietnam’s government has bared hundreds of political dissidents, human rights defenders, social activists and online bloggers from leaving country to attend training courses or meet with other activists from foreign countries.
National security is often used by police in these cases.
Vietnam, with a population of around 93 million, has over seven millions of Catholic followers.
Third violation: Buddhist venerable monk Thich Khong Tanh and Redemptory priests attacked on International Human Rights Day
On December 10, on the occasion of the Internatioal Human Rights Day, Venerable Thich Khong Tanh, the chief monk of Lien Tri Pagoda of the unsanctioned Sangha of the United Buddhist Church of Vietnam, and a group of priests from the Ky Dong Redemptory Church were invited by Catholic priest Nguyen Duy Tan to attend a vigil of the Phu Tho Hoa parish in Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province.
However, all of them were blocked from authorities in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province.
Accordingly, Venerable Tanh was blocked by a group of ten undercovered police officers when he left Giac Hoa pagoda in Binh Thanh district where he is temporarily staying after the city’s authorities demolished his pagoda to seize its land for property development. He was forced to go back.
Meanwhile, the priests from Ky Dong Redemptory Church travelled in a car to Dong Nai. However, police in HCM City stopped their car, beating priest Le Xuan Loc and requesting them to return to their church.
Fourthviolation: Dong Thap province’s police place Head of unsanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect under house arrest
OnDecember 11, two security officers from the Dong Thap province’s police namely Lieutenant Tam and Capital Phong came to the private residence of Mr. Nguyen Van Dien, head of the Central Steering Committee of the unsanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect to request him not to go out that day.
The move aimed to prevent him from attending a party to commemorize his fellow Ly Van Du, who passed away earlier.
The pray was scheduled on the family house in Kien An commune, Cho Moi district, An Giang province.
Fifth violation: Police in Dien Chau request Catholic followers to destroy Christmas caves
On December 13, Catholic followers of the Dong Kieu parish started building a Christmas cave for the upcoming holiday. However, police came and ordered them to stop construction works and destroy what they have built.
During nights, thugs came to the parish and demolished Christmas decorations. They attacked Hoang Van Thuan and broke his motorbike when he detected their acts. They also assauted Tran Van Lien, causing serious injuries on his head.
Since the establishment of the Dien My commune Red Flag group, many Catholic followers in Dong Kieu parish have been attacked by its members who also have vandalized religious structures.
Local authorities have also urged priests to destroy Christmas cave while Dien Chau district’s authorities deployed large number of police, mobiled police to hold a drill in Dien My commune on December 15. They blocked the parish and threaten to destroy all Christmas decorations.
Sixthviolation: Ke Gai parish not allowed to build sub-parish church
On December 17, Catholic followers in Ke Gai parish, Vinh diocese, prepared to build a sub-parish church in Hung Thinh commune. Authorities in Nghe An province deployed a large number of mobile policemen and numerous members of the Red Flag group to disturbe their construction works and beat followers.
In a video circulated on social networks, priest Giuse Nguyen Duc Nhan from the Ke Gai parish said on December 17, members of the Red Flag group caming with three large buses attacked followers under witness of police officers, including the head of the Hung Nguyen district police. The thugs in red clothes chased followers in rice fields and brutally assaulted them.
Amongvictims of the thugs are many female followers. One old female follower was reported to be beaten by Nguyen Van Thu, the chairman of the People’s Committee in Hung Tay commune. He knocked down her into a canal in a cold winter morning.
After the red thugs attacking followers, authorities in Nghe An sent many policemen to the Ke Gai parish to suppress local followers.
Seventhviolation: Hue authorities harass local Catholic priest
Hue city-based Catholic priest Phan Van Loi informed that undercovered police threw waste in his private residence during the night of December 19.
This is the 4th attack of plainclothes agents targeting his house in the past two years.
Along with throwing dirty messes, plainclothes agents also used glue to seal the house gate lock six times in a bid to prevent him from going out.
Eighthviolation: Bags with “Jesus in Love” confiscated
A charity group was allowed to give Christmas presents to students at a secondary school. After the group left, police came and ordered the school management to confiscate all bags given by the group because these bags have been printed with “Jesus in Love.”
Police said the group intends to disseminate its sect and the school teachers told their students that the bags are dangerous.
The charity group was reported to come from a Protestant group.
Nineth violation: Head of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect harassed for his speakings
On December 29, a delegation of Dong Thap province’s police came to the private house of Mr. Nguyen Van Dien, head of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect’s Central Steering Committee to question him why does he agitate anti-government sentiment among followers in his speech on the 98th birthday of the sect’s founder, His Excellency Huynh Phu So.
Mr. Dien rejected their accusation, saying he just told that Hoa Hao followers are ready to die for the right to freedom of religion.
The police officers, including Major Chot from Dong Thap province’s police, Major Tam from Lai Vung district’s police, threatened to arrest Mr. Dien and requested him not to leave his house. An Giang police will arrest him if he returns to the provincce, they warned.
Tenth violation: Authorities in Hue slander Chief priest of Thien An Monastery
Authorities in Hue has issued a letter slandering Nguyen Van Duc, the chief priest of the Thien An Monastery. The letter said he agitates anti-government sentiment among followers and monks.
Authorities also accused the priest of promoting monks to priests without their approval.
Priest Duc is in Rome to attend religious meetings. He is facing threat of being denied to came back to the home country.
PARTIII: EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Evaluation
The religious freedom was not improved in the 4th quarter of 2017. The government’s harassments against religious practioners are reported in many places across the nation.
Many religious activities, including building Christmas cave and sub-parish church, or gathering of Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect’s followers were troubled.
Religious clerks were harassed and threatened while conducting their religious duties such as the case of Redemptory priests when they were on their way to attend a vigil in Tho Hoa parish, and the private residence of Catholic priest Phan Van Loi was asssaulted with waste while Human Livelyhood Sect Mr. Hua Phi of the Cao Dai Church was placed under house arrest in many occasion. In addition, senior clerks from the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect were summoned many times to police for interrogation.
Authorities have seized or backed other individuals and organizations to grab land of religious groups in cases of the Thien An Monastery in Hue, the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena Tam Hiep Monastery in Dong Nai province, and An Hoa Tu relics of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect which may be seized every moment.
3.2 Recommendations
Accordingto the reported incidents in which authorities in many localities violated the religious freedom, the Association to Protect Freedom of Religion expects Vietnam’s government agencies to respect the right to freedom of religions and belief. The government should strictly obey by the Constitution regarding the freedom of religions along with respecting its international commitments in the field, especially when Vietnam is a member of the UN Human Rights Council.
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April 18, 2018
REPORT ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN VIETNAM in October-December 2017
by Nhan Quyen • [Human Rights]
Association to Protect Freedom of Religion, January 2018
PART I: OVERVIEW ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN VIETNAM IN October-December 2017
At a meeting of Vietnam’s National Assembly in November 2017, legislators discussed the draft Law of Religion. Some legislators voiced about the freedom of religions in Vietnam, saying the state still restricts the right to the freedom of religions and belief with a ask-approve mechanism.
LegislatorLuu Thanh Cong from Vinh Long did not agree with the regulations requesting followers of religions and beliefs to strictly obey by state agencies’ requirements while implementing the charter. He emphasized that “In the draft law, there are 20 times saying religious organizations are requested to ask for approval from state agencies. There are few articles in which the state guarantees the right to freedom of religions and beliefs of people.”
The state should not intervene in promotions and dismissals of religious clergy by religious groups, legislator Cong said, adding there things are rights of the religious organizations and the government should not use administrative orders to intervene.
Thestate should determine or verify the citizenship of religious clerks, and based on that, religious groups will make their own decisions on promotion of clergy, said legislator Cong. He proposed clear division of promotion and election of the two groups of religious clergy and staff.
LegislatorVo Thi Dung from Ho Chi Minh City said the beliefs are needs of people protected and respected by the Constitution so when building policies there needs flexibility. The state agencies should not impose too many administrative measures, she said.
LegislatorLe Van Tan from the northern province of Ha Nam said the religious divisions are internal affairs of religious groups so religious groups should report but not ask for approval. Meanwhile, Quang Nam province-based legislator Le Van Lai said the definition of beliefs in the draft law is not clear and too simple. He said beliefs among Vietnamese people have big role but the draft law has not pay enough attentions to it.
Thereligious freedom in Vietnam was not improved in late months of 2017 for religions but there were more violations of state agencies in the field. Many religious groups faced harassments from the local governments when they conducted religious meetings. Authorities in Nghe An province sent police and thugs to demolish a Christmas cave of a Catholic community in Vinh diocese and suppressed local followers, not allowing them to build a sub-parish church. At the same time, Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect and Cao Dai Church in the southern provinces of Vinh Long and An Giang were also persecuted by local authorities.
However, there were some religious activities not troubled by authorities, including the gathering of more than ten of thousands of Protestant followers in a Hanoi-based stadium to participate in a Christian evangelist rally given by American pastor Franklin Graham.According to AP, this is the rare event in the country where the ruling Communist Party strive to control all aspects, from communication to religions.
TheAmerican evangelist preacher said he “don’t want to do anything that would embarrass the government or the people of Vietnamand expressed his hope that Vietnam’s government will not treat Christians as its enemies. According to him, religious freedom is being improved gradually in Vietnam.
PART II: VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM COMMITTED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IN THE 4TH QUARTER OF 2017
2.1 Violations in October
First violation: Authorities in Trang Bom district, Dong Nai province plans to seize a land of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena Tam Hiep Monastery
PriestNguyen Quang Hoa, head of the Phu Son parish announced that authorities in Trang Bom district, Dong Nai province has a plan to grab a land lot belonging to Mong Trieu sub-parish and some families in Phu Son parish in Bac Son commine.
Along with seizing the land of the Mong Trieu sub-parish, local authorities have also grabbed othe land of people in the region, making their land unused for the past 19 years. In recent months, authorities in Trang Bom district issued a decision to seize land with a compensation price of VND5,000 ($0.2) for every square meter in a bid to sell for property development. Located on the targetted land is the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena Tam Hiep Monastery.
Local authorities are reportedly requesting the old religious facility to move to another place for site clearance.
The Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena Tam Hiep Monastery was built in 1969 on a land lot of 3.5 hectares in Phu Son village, Bac Son commune. Its nuns are engaged with kid education and training.
SisterCatarina Nguyen Thi Thien said in the past 17 years, local authorities have cut of electricity and water as well as telephone wire and Internet in a bid to force the facility to move to other place. Located not far from urban areas, the facility’s situation is like old time of thousands years, she said.
Authoritieshave also requested electricity and water cut of a cemetery of Catholic followers locatedadjaciently to the fTam Hiep Monastery, making religious events more difficult.
On October 13, 2017, the leadership of the Phu Son parish decided to build an electricity line to the cemetery despite the local authorities’ troubles. In response, Trang Bom district’s authorities ordered by telephone call to stop the work. However, Catholic followers ignored their request, continuing their works and completed the job within the day.
Second violation: Catholic followers in Nghi Loc parish request local authorities to answer about 30-year dispute over the land of the parish Thien Khai Duong School
On October 4, Head priest Giuse Nguyen Van Chinh and followers of the Nghi Loc parish gathered in the People’s Committee building in Dien Hanh commune, Dien Chau district, Nghe An province, to request the local authorities to settle the land disputes which was started 30 years ago.
Representatives of People’s Committees of Dien Chau district and Dien Hanh commune participated in the event.
During more than two working hours, authorities cannot give clear answers about the issue and like other meetings, local government’s representatives promised to settle the issue in other meetings with participation of a representative from Nghe An province’s People’s Committee.
Third violation: Terror continues over Catholic followers in Dong Kieu parish as thugs came to their private residences to demolish religious statues
On October 7, thugs supported by authorities in Dien Chau district come to the Dong Kieu parish in Dien My commune to demolish properties of local followers.
Catholic followers are not prepared for the attacks because they think that the assaults cannot be carried out with presence of police officers in the areas. Thugs came to attack Su Duyen cafeteria and private residences near the facility. Along demolishing properties, thugs also destroyed religious statues.
Four violation: Hanoi-based club offends Christians but local authorities ignor
During the evening of October 8, Fame Club located on No. 25 Ngo Van So street, Hoan Kiem district, held a recreational event in which dancers dressed with Chistian symbols and signs on the way offending Catholic and Protestant communities.
After the event, many Christian followers got angry with the event organizers, saying they seriously offended the religion.
However, authorities in Hanoi remained silent in the case. After the strong protest of Christian followers, they promized to look in the case.
According to Clause 3, Article 5 of the Law on Religions and Beliefs which will be effective on January 1, 2018, offending religions is banned act. However, there is no clear definition of the acts which can be clacified as religious offending.
However, other legal documents effective in October have no punishment for acts offending religions.
Fifth violation: Stranger enters Catholic church, replacing light lamps without permission of priest
A stranger man whom many people know as a police officer, entered the Catholic church in the Dang Cao parish, replacing light lamps in the church without permission from the head of the parish Priest Dinh Van Minh.
Local followers blocked him and searched his motorbike and found many documents distorting Catholic priests Dang Huu Nam and Nguyen Dinh Thuc, who are very active in assisting followers in Quynh Luu and Dien Chau districts in overcome consequences caused by the environmental disaster after the Taiwanese Formosa steel plant poluted the central coast with its industrial waste.
Dang Cao parishioners suggested that the man tried to threaten priest Dinh Van Minh, who often voices to protect interests of his followers.
Recently, Dang Cao followers gathered in a local government building to protest policies on taxation and fee contribbution which affect their lives and make them poorer.
Catholic priests in Vinh diocese are active in demanding Formosa pay adequate compensation for affected people and clean the environment in the central coast so they are targetted by local authorities.
Sixth violation: Two priests threatened by thugs from Red Flag group
On October 30, Priests Pham Xuan Ke from Dong Thap parish and Giuse Nguyen Ngoc Ngu from Dong Kieu parish, were invited to the headquarter of the People’s Committee in Dien My commune to work on the recent violent activities of thugs from the group so-called Red Flag, the group of pro-government thugs. The working meeting lasted from 8 AM to 10 AM.
When the meeting ended, the two priests left the building and met a group of 300 members from the Red Flag who shout angrily and threatened the two priests as well as blocked their way to their churches. The priests were forced to stay in the building until late afternoon.
The Red Flags thugs gathered in Dien My village in the Dong Kieu parish from early morning and made great noices, local followers said, adding they stayed in the region in the afternoon and left in evening of the same day.
The priests returned to their churches safely at around 7 PM.
Some followers were beaten by red thugs. Thugs used stones and wooden bars to assault Mr. Thong from Duc Thich sub-parish in Dien Hai commune under the witness of police officer from Dien My commune.
2.2Violations in November
Firstviolation: Hoa Hao Buddhist official summoned after joining organization consisting of both followers in the country and abroad
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Tan, head of the Department of Communication and Liaison of the unregistered Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect, has been summoned to a police station in Dong Thanh commune. He was requested to go to meet with police officers on October 14.
The local police made this move after knowing that he had joined a coalition of Hoa Hao Buddhist followers consisting of followers in the country and abroad.
Police said his participation in the coalition is related to the national security.
Secondviolation: Members of Inter-faith Council harassed during APEC
Human Livelyhood Sect Mr. Hua Phi of the Cao Dai Church announced that during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held in the central city of Danang on November 4-9 in which many world leaders participated, he was under close surveillance of police from the Central Highland province of Lam Dong who made all efforts to prevent him from going there to meet with foreigners to report violation of religious freedom.
Mr. Hua Phi said on November 4, a group of five men who introduced themselves as officers from Lam Dong province’s police came to his private residence and verbally announced that he cannot go out from November 4 until November 11. They said the request was made from the Ministry of Public Security and if he goes there, he will be arrested and deported back for interrogation.
Mr. Hua Phi objected their requirements so local authorities deployed plainclothes agents to station near his house all day and night in a bid to prevent him from going out.
Mr. Hua Phu addedthat a number of members from the Inter-faith Council were also placed under house arrest during APEC.
Third violation: Thua Thien- Hue authorities continue destroying pine forest and seizing land of Thien An Monastery
Backed by authorities in the central province of Thua Thien- Hue, many residents in Huong Thuy town continue to seize land belonging to the Thien An Monastery in early November. They also used tractors and specialized equipment to chop down many aged trees grown by monks from the monastery.
Local authorities remain silent even the monastery leadership submitted complaints about seizing its properties.
Fourthviolation: Hoa Hao Buddhist follower detained after objecting police blockage
Ms. Le Thi Hong Hanh, 38, was arrested by An Phu district police on November 13 when she was selling bread in An Phu commune. Later, she was charged with “causing public disorders” under Article 245 of the 1999 Penal Code. She is held at a temporary detention facility under the authority of the An Phu district police.
Hanh was accused of involvement in a protest in April in which many Hoa Hao Buddhist followers demonstrated against local police who barred followers to gather to the private residence of Mr. Bui Van Trung to commemorize his mother on her death day.
Trung and three other members of his family were arrested and charged with “causing public disorders.”
Trung and his son Bui Van Tham were imprisoned in 2012-2015 on allegation of conducting illegal religious meetings at his house.
Ms. Hanh was reportedly to make regular visits to Quang Minh Tu Pagoda, a religious facility of the unregistered Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect. She was once beaten brutally by undercover policemen in 2016 after participating in a religious event in the pagoda.
An official from Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect said independent religious groups have been harassed by local authorities who ban gathering and organizing religious events. Followers who protesting the local government’s policies on religious issues may be arrested and charged with some crimes.
Since April, 10 Hoa Hao Buddhist followers have been arrested and one died in police station. They were charged with “resisting on-duty state officials,” or “causing public disorders” and “conducting anti-state propaganda.”
Fifth violation: An Giang authorities demolish Triple Gate of Hoa Hao Buddhist Soldiers’ Monument
On November 16, authorities in the southern province of An Giang destroyed the Triple Gate of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Soldiers’ Monument located in Phu Tan district.
Triple Gate, a part of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Soldiers’ Monument, was built in 1966 on a 2-hectare area in the region where sect’s founder Huynh Phu So was born. Triple Gate honors generals and soldiers of Hoa Hao who fell while protecting the sect and the country.
After invading the southern region in 1975, the communist government seized the entire monument which honors thousands of fallen soldiers. It destroyed nearly the entire monument but not Triple Gate and built schools and bank buildings.
The demolishion of the monument and Triple Gate is part of the government’s plan to destroy all historic sites of the unsanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect which strives to be independent from the government.
Mr. Nguyen Van Dien, head of the sect’s Central Steering Committee, said the government has seized over 200 pagodas and schools as well as over 3,200 regional offices of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Sect since 1975.
The Hoa Hao Buddhist Sect which was formed by the government, has a plan to demolish An Hoa Tu pagoda, the last old pagoda of the sect, to build new one. However, the plan meets strong objection from followers.
Vietnam’s government unfriendly treats Hoa Hao Buddhist. The founder of the sect, Huynh Phu So, was killed by communists more than 50 years ago.
2.3 Violations in December
First violation: Hoa Hao Buddhist followers in An Giang province demanded not to organize grand parties on the 98th birthday of late Founder Huynh Phu So
Authorities in the southern province of An Giang have requested local Hoa Hao Buddhist followers not to organize parties to celebrate the 98th birthday of late Founder Huynh Phu So, who was killed by communists more than five decades ago.
The request was announced after the Central Steering Committee of the unsanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect, in its meeting on December 2, decided to organize a grand party to mark the 98th birthday of their founder.
Mr. Nguyen Van Cuong, head of the Department of Organization said all representatives from provinces agreed with our plan although An Giang province’s authorities said they will ban the event. Authorities in Cho Moi district where to host the grand party met with the sect’s officials to inform them about the ban.
From November 29, many members of the party’s organization unit were summoned to local police, including Phan Van Chung, Ha Van Duy Ho, Phan Van Be Nam and Nguyen Van Vinh. Authorities said the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect is unregistered organization so it is not permitted to hold the event.
Founder Huynh Phu So was born on November 25 of the Lunar Calendar or January 10 according to the Western calendar.
Only the registered Hoa Hao Buddhist Sect is allowed to hold religious events, including the birthday party of the sect’s founder.
Second violations: Redemptory Church priest Luu Ngoc Quynh blocked from going abroad
At 9 PM of December 5, Catholic priest Gioan Luu Ngoc Quynh from the Thai Ha Redemptory Church was stopped by security forces in the Noi Bai International Airport when he was on his way to France.
Security officers from the Noi Bai border gate cited national security as a reason for the ban. The priest was invited to Paris to participate in a religious event scheduled on December 8.
Priest Quynh is the third clergy of the Thai Ha Church barred from going abroad. In 2010, police in Hanoi also stopped priest Juse Nguyen Van Phuong from leaving the county and in June 2017, they did not permit priest Nguyen Ngoc Nam Phong from going to Australia where he would take part in a religious training program.
The bans were reprisal of the Thai Ha Church’s opposition to Hanoi’s attempt to seize its properties, and the church’s vigils in which its priests call for protection of the country’s sovereignty and criticize the government about human rights violations, systemic corruption and economic mismanagement.
After taking power in 1954 in the northern region, Vietnam’s communist government borrowed many properties of Catholic churches, including the Thai Ha Redemptory Church for hosting hospitals and schools. Recently, the government has turned these properties into public facilities or private properties without returning them to churches. The property disputes between the churches and the government has not been solved for decades.
Along with taking various tricks to prevent local activists from meeting with foreign officials and diplomats, Vietnam’s government has bared hundreds of political dissidents, human rights defenders, social activists and online bloggers from leaving country to attend training courses or meet with other activists from foreign countries.
National security is often used by police in these cases.
Vietnam, with a population of around 93 million, has over seven millions of Catholic followers.
Third violation: Buddhist venerable monk Thich Khong Tanh and Redemptory priests attacked on International Human Rights Day
On December 10, on the occasion of the Internatioal Human Rights Day, Venerable Thich Khong Tanh, the chief monk of Lien Tri Pagoda of the unsanctioned Sangha of the United Buddhist Church of Vietnam, and a group of priests from the Ky Dong Redemptory Church were invited by Catholic priest Nguyen Duy Tan to attend a vigil of the Phu Tho Hoa parish in Xuan Loc district, Dong Nai province.
However, all of them were blocked from authorities in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai province.
Accordingly, Venerable Tanh was blocked by a group of ten undercovered police officers when he left Giac Hoa pagoda in Binh Thanh district where he is temporarily staying after the city’s authorities demolished his pagoda to seize its land for property development. He was forced to go back.
Meanwhile, the priests from Ky Dong Redemptory Church travelled in a car to Dong Nai. However, police in HCM City stopped their car, beating priest Le Xuan Loc and requesting them to return to their church.
Fourthviolation: Dong Thap province’s police place Head of unsanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect under house arrest
OnDecember 11, two security officers from the Dong Thap province’s police namely Lieutenant Tam and Capital Phong came to the private residence of Mr. Nguyen Van Dien, head of the Central Steering Committee of the unsanctioned Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect to request him not to go out that day.
The move aimed to prevent him from attending a party to commemorize his fellow Ly Van Du, who passed away earlier.
The pray was scheduled on the family house in Kien An commune, Cho Moi district, An Giang province.
Fifth violation: Police in Dien Chau request Catholic followers to destroy Christmas caves
On December 13, Catholic followers of the Dong Kieu parish started building a Christmas cave for the upcoming holiday. However, police came and ordered them to stop construction works and destroy what they have built.
During nights, thugs came to the parish and demolished Christmas decorations. They attacked Hoang Van Thuan and broke his motorbike when he detected their acts. They also assauted Tran Van Lien, causing serious injuries on his head.
Since the establishment of the Dien My commune Red Flag group, many Catholic followers in Dong Kieu parish have been attacked by its members who also have vandalized religious structures.
Local authorities have also urged priests to destroy Christmas cave while Dien Chau district’s authorities deployed large number of police, mobiled police to hold a drill in Dien My commune on December 15. They blocked the parish and threaten to destroy all Christmas decorations.
Sixthviolation: Ke Gai parish not allowed to build sub-parish church
On December 17, Catholic followers in Ke Gai parish, Vinh diocese, prepared to build a sub-parish church in Hung Thinh commune. Authorities in Nghe An province deployed a large number of mobile policemen and numerous members of the Red Flag group to disturbe their construction works and beat followers.
In a video circulated on social networks, priest Giuse Nguyen Duc Nhan from the Ke Gai parish said on December 17, members of the Red Flag group caming with three large buses attacked followers under witness of police officers, including the head of the Hung Nguyen district police. The thugs in red clothes chased followers in rice fields and brutally assaulted them.
Amongvictims of the thugs are many female followers. One old female follower was reported to be beaten by Nguyen Van Thu, the chairman of the People’s Committee in Hung Tay commune. He knocked down her into a canal in a cold winter morning.
After the red thugs attacking followers, authorities in Nghe An sent many policemen to the Ke Gai parish to suppress local followers.
Seventhviolation: Hue authorities harass local Catholic priest
Hue city-based Catholic priest Phan Van Loi informed that undercovered police threw waste in his private residence during the night of December 19.
This is the 4th attack of plainclothes agents targeting his house in the past two years.
Along with throwing dirty messes, plainclothes agents also used glue to seal the house gate lock six times in a bid to prevent him from going out.
Eighthviolation: Bags with “Jesus in Love” confiscated
A charity group was allowed to give Christmas presents to students at a secondary school. After the group left, police came and ordered the school management to confiscate all bags given by the group because these bags have been printed with “Jesus in Love.”
Police said the group intends to disseminate its sect and the school teachers told their students that the bags are dangerous.
The charity group was reported to come from a Protestant group.
Nineth violation: Head of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect harassed for his speakings
On December 29, a delegation of Dong Thap province’s police came to the private house of Mr. Nguyen Van Dien, head of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect’s Central Steering Committee to question him why does he agitate anti-government sentiment among followers in his speech on the 98th birthday of the sect’s founder, His Excellency Huynh Phu So.
Mr. Dien rejected their accusation, saying he just told that Hoa Hao followers are ready to die for the right to freedom of religion.
The police officers, including Major Chot from Dong Thap province’s police, Major Tam from Lai Vung district’s police, threatened to arrest Mr. Dien and requested him not to leave his house. An Giang police will arrest him if he returns to the provincce, they warned.
Tenth violation: Authorities in Hue slander Chief priest of Thien An Monastery
Authorities in Hue has issued a letter slandering Nguyen Van Duc, the chief priest of the Thien An Monastery. The letter said he agitates anti-government sentiment among followers and monks.
Authorities also accused the priest of promoting monks to priests without their approval.
Priest Duc is in Rome to attend religious meetings. He is facing threat of being denied to came back to the home country.
PARTIII: EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Evaluation
The religious freedom was not improved in the 4th quarter of 2017. The government’s harassments against religious practioners are reported in many places across the nation.
Many religious activities, including building Christmas cave and sub-parish church, or gathering of Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect’s followers were troubled.
Religious clerks were harassed and threatened while conducting their religious duties such as the case of Redemptory priests when they were on their way to attend a vigil in Tho Hoa parish, and the private residence of Catholic priest Phan Van Loi was asssaulted with waste while Human Livelyhood Sect Mr. Hua Phi of the Cao Dai Church was placed under house arrest in many occasion. In addition, senior clerks from the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect were summoned many times to police for interrogation.
Authorities have seized or backed other individuals and organizations to grab land of religious groups in cases of the Thien An Monastery in Hue, the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena Tam Hiep Monastery in Dong Nai province, and An Hoa Tu relics of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Purity Sect which may be seized every moment.
3.2 Recommendations
Accordingto the reported incidents in which authorities in many localities violated the religious freedom, the Association to Protect Freedom of Religion expects Vietnam’s government agencies to respect the right to freedom of religions and belief. The government should strictly obey by the Constitution regarding the freedom of religions along with respecting its international commitments in the field, especially when Vietnam is a member of the UN Human Rights Council.