Khmer Krom: USCIRF Report Documents that Religious Violations Persist in Vietnam

Unrepresented Nations and People Organizations, February 13, 2017

In light of developments over the past year, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has delivered a report regarding the current state of religious freedom in Vietnam, and it shows little amelioration. Under the guise of nationalism, Vietnam recently imposed severe restrictions on religious activity, evidencing a clear violation of international standards for religious freedom. While USCIRF indicates improvements in some areas, the overall evaluation of Vietnam is grim due to the ongoing religious persecution of minority communities, such as the imprisonment of Buddhist monk Venerable Thach Thuol. This report echoes coverage of recent US foreign policy decisions, which suggests widespread recognition of the dismal circumstances of religious minorities in Vietnam.

The press release below was issued by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom:

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today (8 February 2017) released Religious Freedom in Vietnam: Assessing the Country of Particular Concern Designation 10 Years After its Removal.

Because of its “systematic, ongoing, and egregious” violations of religious freedom, Vietnam had been designated a “country of particular concern” (or CPC) by the State Department from 2004 until 2006, when, as a result of U.S. diplomatic negotiations, Vietnam promised to improve religious freedom.

This new report examines the history and efficacy of Vietnam’s CPC designation and the implication on religious freedom in Vietnam 10 years after the State Department removed Vietnam as a “country of particular concern.”

“Ten years after the State Department’s removal of Vietnam as a CPC, religious freedom conditions in the country are at a pivotal moment.  While these conditions have improved in some instances, severe religious violations continue that are inconsistent with international standards,” said USCIRF Chair Thomas J. Reese, S.J. “Although the Vietnamese government sought to address these concerns in the recently passed law on religion and belief, this measure is imperfect and disadvantages many religious communities. If Vietnam does not implement religious freedom reforms that are consistent with international standards, USCIRF will continue to call for its designation as a country of particular concern.”

Religious freedom conditions in many parts of Vietnam continue to deteriorate in some areas, notwithstanding that many individuals and communities freely practice their faith. In some areas, local authorities harass and discriminate against religious organizations that the government does not recognize. In addition, religious groups across Vietnam fear that the government will evict them from or demolish their properties. USCIRF has recommended CPC designation for Vietnam every year since 2002.