Vietnam Inter-Fair Council, October 2017
PART 1: OVERVIEW ON RELIGION FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN VIETNAM IN JULY-SEPTEMBER, 2017
On July 20, 2017, Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs introduced the second draft of decree on regulations of administrative fines imposed on violations on beliefs and religion, and asked organizations, state agencies as well as individuals in the country and abroad to contribute opinions on the draft.
If is approved, the decree will become effective from June 1, 2018.
The draft is considered by religious clergies as serious violations to citizens’ right of freedom of religion and belief. They agree that the ministry formally collects opinions for the draft and if it is approved, it will become a legal tool of the regime to punish individuals and organizations from June 1, 2018.
The government will use the Law on religions and beliefs to control all religions and beliefs, applying the mechanism “ask-approve” which is illegal and severe in order to maintain control over all religious organizations. Decree on regulations of administrative fines imposed on violations on beliefs and religions will also be used to monitor all activities of religions and beliefs, from internal affairs via appointments of clergies, to education and practices of religions and beliefs. The decree will require religious organizations to report and wait for approval and if they fail, they will be punished by the People’s Committees in different levels and the government’s Committee on Religions and Beliefs will impose different administrative measures of punishment, including confiscating tools, suspending activities, and asking religious organizations to revoke their statements. The decree also set to impose an administrative fine of maximum VND30 million for individuals and VND60 million for organizations.
Catholic Priest Dinh Huu Thoai calls on all people are joining to boycott the decree which seriously violates the right of freedom of religions and belief. The decree aims to target the activities of Priests Dang Huu Nam and Nguyen Dinh Thuc to help Formosa-affected fishermen challenge the environmental polluter, and interfere the religions’ internal affairs. The members of the Vietnam Inter-fair Council are strongly rejecting the decree.
Meanwhile, Priest Nguyen Chi Linh, President of the Vietnam Bishops’ Conference, in an interview on Vietnam’s religious freedom situation, said the right of religious freedom is strictly controlled by the authorities. He said the Vietnam Bishops’ Conference has submitted its frank opinions related to the Law on Religions and Beliefs to Vietnam’s government.
In general, with the Law on Religions and Beliefs, there are setbacks but not progress as religions and beliefs cannot enjoy real freedom. For example, the Catholic Church cannot operate in many fields, including education and healthcare … There is still “ask-approve mechanism. It is a big disappointment shared by many other religions.
In addition, Priest Nguyen Chi Linh said it will take long time for Catholic people to not be suspected by the authorities. He expressed his hope that it will be changed in future.
In its 2016 report of freedom of religions and beliefs worldwide, the U.S. Department of State’s Department of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor made its judgments which say Vietnam still has limited freedom of religions and beliefs. The report also described many serious violations of freedom of religions conducted by Vietnam’s authorities in 2015-2016.
PART 2: VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM MADE BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
2.1 Violations in July
First violation case: Authorities in Hue city stops water delivery for the Thien An Monastery, using state media to slander its clergies of deforestation
Chatade dam and Thuy Tien lake are the main water resources for crop plantation, livestock and drink for the Thien An Monastery. Authorities in Hue city seize the two water sources of the religious facility
Before 1975, the founders of the Thien An Monastery worked hard to build the dam and the lake located in a pine forest which is within the monastery’s territory. The dam and the lake have served, providing water for the monastery’s agricultural production and life.
The monastery founders constructed many underground pipes to take water from the dam and the lake to the monastery, particularly to a lake for aquaculture and vegetable cultivation. Water from the two sources is also taken for daily use of the monastery’s clergies.
As authorities seized the dam and the lake, the monastery faces serious water shortage, especially during dry season. In order to cope with the problem, clergies were forced to build large reservoirs to store water from rain, and made a well but the quality of the water from the well is not good for use. The clergies also use old reservoirs to store water from rain for agricultural production but they still face water shortage during dry seasons.
Surrounding the Chatađê dam is a pine forest which was developed in 1940 and has been preserved by the monastery. Recently, some architectures built by the monastery were demolished.
During the spat between Hue city’s authorities and the monastery, the People’s Committee of the Thua Thien-Hue used state media to spread false information saying the roads around Chatade dam are public roads. The local media slander the monastery, saying its clergies demolish the roads and cut down the pine forest. The move of the authorities aims to seize the 107-hectare pine forest which belongs to the monastery. Meanwhile, the authorities unilaterally labeled the forest as public, building a forest protection facility in the pine forest and back some individuals and companies who destroy the forest, the green lung of Hue city.
In 2001, authorities in Hue seized 63 hectares of land of the monastery to develop a recreational facility. They demolished all architectures of the monastery.
At a working meeting with authorities of Thua Thien-Hue on July 12 on beating clergies and destroying religious symbols on June 28, the monastery strongly condemned the attacks of state cadres and thugs who were supported by police. The monastery’s leadership also reaffirmed that the pine forest as well as Thuy Tien Lake belong to the monastery and the religious facility will take all moves to protect its properties.
The clergies said they have all legal grounds and evidence showing the right over the 107-hectare pine line bought and developed by many generations of its clergies from 1940. The monastery has never given up its right over the forest, the clergies affirmed.
Second violation case: Nuns from Paul Church in Hanoi calling for help as electrical post was left at the church’s gate.
In its urgent letter submitted by Paul Church to authorities in Hanoi dated July 25, the leadership of the church said a construction company placed a high-voltage box and wires on pavement and the gate of the facility while conducting electrical transmission work. The electricity wires are dangerous for kids studying in the church.
The construction company had not inform the church about their work.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Construction has rejected a petition of the church’s nuns over the seizure of a land lot in Quang Trung Street which belongs to the church but is illegally seized by local residents.
The nuns strongly condemned the ministry’s move, pointing a number of wrongdoings of the ministry’s final statement about the land lot, including:
1. When issuing its decision, the Ministry of Construction had not consult the church. The Hanoi’s Department of Construction made procedures for transferring ownership of the land lot while is under dispute.
2. In its decision, the ministry affirmed that Ms. Dong is allowed to manage the land lot, so the land manager is not the land owner and all transactions between her and others is illegal.
3. The church has not received any decision for the land lot seizure.
4. The nuns call on people to support them in the land dispute case.
5. The nuns call on developer and constructors not to involve in the construction works of the church’s land lot.
2.2 Violations in August
The first violation case: Followers of Protestant Sect in Yen Phu commune, Yen Phong district, Bac Ninh province harassed while meeting
On August 5, a group of Protestant followers held a meeting but shortly after gathering, police broke in, demanding administrative checking and asking them to leave. The police’s move violates as they broke in a private residence without showing any legal documents.
Police demanded that the followers have to register to the authorities when they want to meet each other.
The details of the harassment were posted here:
HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/699183276937837” https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/699183276937837
The second violation case: Clergies of the Thien An Monastery complain of water shortage as authorities in Hue seized their two water sources
After demolishing the Cross and beating clergies in June, authorities in Hue continue to harass them by seizing their main water sources, the Chatade dam and Thuy Tien lake. The authorities block the roads leading to the water reservoirs and destroy water pipes which take water from the two facilities to the monastery.
Due to the blockage, clergies in the monastery face serious water shortage for their living and agricultural production while water taken from the well in the monastery is poor in quality and not suitable for use.
Currently, the monastery relies on rain which is low during the dry season.
Authorities in Hue ignore the situation of the monastery’s clergies.
The third violation case: The Ministry of Construction rejected the petition of nuns at Paul Church in Hanoi on the disputed land lot in Quang Trung street.
In the morning of August 25, nuns of Paul Church were invited to work with Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Trong Khanh on settlement of the dispute over the land lot on 5A-5B Quang Trung street. The church sent a delegation of five nuns and three followers but only six of them were allowed to attend the meeting.
At the meeting, Ms. Quynh representing the church emphasized that the church bought the land lot 125 years ago and it has not been subject to seizure.
However, Mr. Khanh held his position, saying the ministry’s Decision number 803 is final, meaning the church has no right to use the land lot.
He also asked units of the ministry to work more on the case and cooperate with the Hanoi People’s Committee to issue the final decision. He also said the last move is to bring the case to court.
The meeting showed that authorities do not want to settle the dispute.
The fourth violation case: Authorities in Vinh confiscate education tools of Catholic nuns in Trung My sub-parish
On August 28, nuns of the Trung My sub-parish in Cau Ram parish, Vinh diocese were receiving kids who will study in a kindergarten located on Nguyen Truong To street, Hung Dong commune, Vinh City. Authorities in Vinh sent hundreds of police officers who seized study tables, chairs and other teaching tools of the facility.
The fifth violation case: Authorities in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak harass local Protestant sect
According to Facebooker Vo Ngoc Luc, in the morning of August 29, local Protestant followers were invited to pray for a family in Tan Hoa. After one-hour meeting, they left the family’s residence at 8.30 AM but they were stopped by local authorities, including police who questioned them the reason for gathering.
The police demanded the followers to ask for authorities’ approval for the next meetings while followers rejected, saying they will report the case to local authorities for disturbing them.
Finally, police withdrew from the scene.
2.3 Violations in September
The first violation case: Catholic priest under terror of pro-government thugs
In the morning of September 4, a group of around 20 pro-government thugs led by Nguyen Trong Nghia broke in the Tho Hoa church in Xuan Loc diocese in the southern province of Dong Nai in a bid to terror Priest Giuse Nguyen Duy Tan, an outspoken clergy on social issues.
Alarmed about the incident, followers gathered and blocked the thugs, detaining them before they can cause any harm to the priest and local residents.
Followers found that the group was armed with a gun, grenades, electronic batons and other weapons.
In their written confession in presence of local police, Nghia and his partners said they came to threaten priest Tan because the father publicly defames late President Ho Chi Minh and calls for multi-party democracy.
Priest Tan has been a subject to the government’s harassments recently after he publicly criticizes the communist government for its bad socio-economic management and systemic corruption as well as poorly settlement of environmental pollution.
In April, when he visited the central province of Nghe An, local authorities sent a letter to the Vinh Diocese to ask the local Catholic church not to allow him to hold vigils for local followers after priest Tan and thousands of followers in Phu Yen parish held a peaceful demonstration on April 24 to protest the Quynh Luu district police for beating two followers and robbing their t-shirts, which showed “No-Formosa” slogans.
Priest Tan had criticized the ruling Communist Party and its government, encouraging local Catholic followers to participate in demonstrations which have caused “social disorder” and calling for not respecting the party’s leadership in the country, Nghe An province’s authorities said.
Meanwhile, a number of Vietnamese activists have been attacked by pro-government thugs who remain unpunished or even protected by the government.
Among victims of assaults carried out by pro-government thugs are activists Le My Hanh and Trinh Dinh Hoa. Hanh was brutally beaten by thugs in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi while Mr. Hoa was assaulted once by Hanoi-based thugs.
The second violation case: Thug backed by authorities terror Catholic community in Dong Kieu parish
Pro-government thugs, backed by authorities in Dien My commune, Dien Chau district in the central province of Nghe An were reported to demolish properties of many Catholic followers in Dong Kieu parish.
According to the Thanh nien Cong giao (Catholic Youth) online newswire, thugs with support from the local authorities demolished the parish’s welcome gate in late August.
In the evening of September 15, when the Doksuri typhoon ended and electricity was cut, pro-government came to the parish and demolished religious statues and decorative plants of followers in the parish.
In the evening of the next day, thugs came to the parish again, destroying two transport cars, Mother Virgin statue and other properties of the family of a follower namely Hoe.
The attack was done under presence of local policemen, followers said, adding thugs threatened to burn private houses of parishioners.
Private residences of followers Tran Van Tuan, Tran Van Cuong, Tran Van Trinh, Hoang Van Hoe and many others were attacked with stones and bricks by thugs who caused significant damages to their houses.
Dien Chau is the locality where authorities are conducting activities to discriminate the local Catholic community and defame its priests who bravely speak out about environmental pollution and systemic corruption as well as China’s violations of the country’s sovereignty in the East Sea (South China Sea).
In July-August, pro-government thugs with support by the local authorities attacked Catholic followers in Song Ngoc parish. Some parishioners were beaten and their houses were demolished.
Thugs, with support from the local authorities held violent demonstrations in the parish to demand for deport of Priest Nguyen Ngoc Ngu from Dien My commune.
Not only Catholic priests and followers in Nghe An have been attacked by pro-government thugs. On September 4, a group of 15 pro-government thugs armed with a gun and other weapons went to Tho Xoan parish in Xuan Tho commune, Xuan Loc town, Dong Nai province in a bid to “punish” outspoken priest Nguyen Duy Tan and local parishioners. They were blocked before causing any harm to the community.
Many members of the group are related to the pro-government thugs who brutally assaulted female activist Le My Hanh and her friends in Ho Chi Minh City on May 2.
HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/716809468508551” https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/716809468508551
The third violation case: Protestant sect in Pho Yen district, Thai Nguyen province complains that it was not permitted to operate
On September 26, a group of Protestant followers in Pho Yen district, Thai Nguyen province said when it held a meeting in the private residence of Pham Xuan Yen in Dong Tam village, Ba Hang ward, police came to demand them to pledge not to hold a group meeting.
When the group moved to the house of Le Quang Tuan in Trung Thanh commune, it was also stopped from gathering. The followers moved to the private residence of followers Tran Van Toan in Tan Thinh village in the same commune, police also demanded them to ask the local authorities for approval.
In recent days, authorities deploy tens of police officers to block Mr. Toan’s house. In response, the followers said they would stop meeting if the police show a written document from the local authorities. However, police denied, saying they are working according to the direction from upper authorities.
On September 24, when followers came to Mr. Toan’s house, police came and violently dispersed them. Many followers were beaten by plainclothes agents and thugs. Mr. Tuan from Trung Thanh commune sustained severe injuries and was taken to a hospital. When the followers came to Pho Yen police to report the incident but the police refused to listen to the case.
Mr. Toan was addicted to alcohol but he totally changed when he became a Protestant.
The fourth violation case: Authorities in Dong Nai plan to seize land belonging to Phu Son parish, Xuan Loc diocese
Priest Quang Hoa, head of the Phu Son parish in Xuan Loc diocese called for support for Me Mong Trieu sub-parish when authorities in Dong Nai plan to seize land belonging to the sub-parish on October 5-6.
Details of the case: HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/718415728347925” https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/718415728347925
PART 3: Progress in Freedom of Religions and Beliefs
3.1 Authorities in Kon Tum province granted a license for project to build Mang Den Mother pilgrimage center
On July 31, the People’s Committee signed a decision to grant 16,658 square meters of land for building Mang Den Mother pilgrimage center in Mang Den village, Dak Long commune, Kon Plong district.
3.2. On September 1, authorities in Dong Nai province publicized a decision for the establishment of Hoa Binh Catholic College in Xuan Loc. The college has become the first Catholic college in the country since 1975.
PART 4: EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION
4.1 Evaluation on freedom of religions and beliefs in Vietnam
– In the third quarter, despite some improvement on freedom of religion and beliefs, however, in some localities, authorities still harass local groups of Protestants.
– Vandalism occurred in many places where thugs demolished religious symbols, including the case in Vinh and Hue.
– In some localities, properties of religions have been subjects of seizure. In other places, local authorities have yet to return properties of churches.
4.2 Recommendations
– Vietnam’s government agencies must respect the freedom of religions and belief which is enshrined in the country’s 2013 Constitution.
– The ask-approve mechanism in religions and beliefs must be stopped.
– Settle completely disputes on properties of religious facilities and fully protect the properties of religious organizations.
– Authorities should allow religious groups to involve in education and health care.
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October 6, 2017
THIRD QUARTERLY REPORT 2017 ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN VIETNAM
by Nhan Quyen • [Human Rights]
Vietnam Inter-Fair Council, October 2017
PART 1: OVERVIEW ON RELIGION FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN VIETNAM IN JULY-SEPTEMBER, 2017
On July 20, 2017, Vietnam’s Ministry of Home Affairs introduced the second draft of decree on regulations of administrative fines imposed on violations on beliefs and religion, and asked organizations, state agencies as well as individuals in the country and abroad to contribute opinions on the draft.
If is approved, the decree will become effective from June 1, 2018.
The draft is considered by religious clergies as serious violations to citizens’ right of freedom of religion and belief. They agree that the ministry formally collects opinions for the draft and if it is approved, it will become a legal tool of the regime to punish individuals and organizations from June 1, 2018.
The government will use the Law on religions and beliefs to control all religions and beliefs, applying the mechanism “ask-approve” which is illegal and severe in order to maintain control over all religious organizations. Decree on regulations of administrative fines imposed on violations on beliefs and religions will also be used to monitor all activities of religions and beliefs, from internal affairs via appointments of clergies, to education and practices of religions and beliefs. The decree will require religious organizations to report and wait for approval and if they fail, they will be punished by the People’s Committees in different levels and the government’s Committee on Religions and Beliefs will impose different administrative measures of punishment, including confiscating tools, suspending activities, and asking religious organizations to revoke their statements. The decree also set to impose an administrative fine of maximum VND30 million for individuals and VND60 million for organizations.
Catholic Priest Dinh Huu Thoai calls on all people are joining to boycott the decree which seriously violates the right of freedom of religions and belief. The decree aims to target the activities of Priests Dang Huu Nam and Nguyen Dinh Thuc to help Formosa-affected fishermen challenge the environmental polluter, and interfere the religions’ internal affairs. The members of the Vietnam Inter-fair Council are strongly rejecting the decree.
Meanwhile, Priest Nguyen Chi Linh, President of the Vietnam Bishops’ Conference, in an interview on Vietnam’s religious freedom situation, said the right of religious freedom is strictly controlled by the authorities. He said the Vietnam Bishops’ Conference has submitted its frank opinions related to the Law on Religions and Beliefs to Vietnam’s government.
In general, with the Law on Religions and Beliefs, there are setbacks but not progress as religions and beliefs cannot enjoy real freedom. For example, the Catholic Church cannot operate in many fields, including education and healthcare … There is still “ask-approve mechanism. It is a big disappointment shared by many other religions.
In addition, Priest Nguyen Chi Linh said it will take long time for Catholic people to not be suspected by the authorities. He expressed his hope that it will be changed in future.
In its 2016 report of freedom of religions and beliefs worldwide, the U.S. Department of State’s Department of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor made its judgments which say Vietnam still has limited freedom of religions and beliefs. The report also described many serious violations of freedom of religions conducted by Vietnam’s authorities in 2015-2016.
PART 2: VIOLATIONS OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM MADE BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
2.1 Violations in July
First violation case: Authorities in Hue city stops water delivery for the Thien An Monastery, using state media to slander its clergies of deforestation
Chatade dam and Thuy Tien lake are the main water resources for crop plantation, livestock and drink for the Thien An Monastery. Authorities in Hue city seize the two water sources of the religious facility
Before 1975, the founders of the Thien An Monastery worked hard to build the dam and the lake located in a pine forest which is within the monastery’s territory. The dam and the lake have served, providing water for the monastery’s agricultural production and life.
The monastery founders constructed many underground pipes to take water from the dam and the lake to the monastery, particularly to a lake for aquaculture and vegetable cultivation. Water from the two sources is also taken for daily use of the monastery’s clergies.
As authorities seized the dam and the lake, the monastery faces serious water shortage, especially during dry season. In order to cope with the problem, clergies were forced to build large reservoirs to store water from rain, and made a well but the quality of the water from the well is not good for use. The clergies also use old reservoirs to store water from rain for agricultural production but they still face water shortage during dry seasons.
Surrounding the Chatađê dam is a pine forest which was developed in 1940 and has been preserved by the monastery. Recently, some architectures built by the monastery were demolished.
During the spat between Hue city’s authorities and the monastery, the People’s Committee of the Thua Thien-Hue used state media to spread false information saying the roads around Chatade dam are public roads. The local media slander the monastery, saying its clergies demolish the roads and cut down the pine forest. The move of the authorities aims to seize the 107-hectare pine forest which belongs to the monastery. Meanwhile, the authorities unilaterally labeled the forest as public, building a forest protection facility in the pine forest and back some individuals and companies who destroy the forest, the green lung of Hue city.
In 2001, authorities in Hue seized 63 hectares of land of the monastery to develop a recreational facility. They demolished all architectures of the monastery.
At a working meeting with authorities of Thua Thien-Hue on July 12 on beating clergies and destroying religious symbols on June 28, the monastery strongly condemned the attacks of state cadres and thugs who were supported by police. The monastery’s leadership also reaffirmed that the pine forest as well as Thuy Tien Lake belong to the monastery and the religious facility will take all moves to protect its properties.
The clergies said they have all legal grounds and evidence showing the right over the 107-hectare pine line bought and developed by many generations of its clergies from 1940. The monastery has never given up its right over the forest, the clergies affirmed.
Second violation case: Nuns from Paul Church in Hanoi calling for help as electrical post was left at the church’s gate.
In its urgent letter submitted by Paul Church to authorities in Hanoi dated July 25, the leadership of the church said a construction company placed a high-voltage box and wires on pavement and the gate of the facility while conducting electrical transmission work. The electricity wires are dangerous for kids studying in the church.
The construction company had not inform the church about their work.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Construction has rejected a petition of the church’s nuns over the seizure of a land lot in Quang Trung Street which belongs to the church but is illegally seized by local residents.
The nuns strongly condemned the ministry’s move, pointing a number of wrongdoings of the ministry’s final statement about the land lot, including:
1. When issuing its decision, the Ministry of Construction had not consult the church. The Hanoi’s Department of Construction made procedures for transferring ownership of the land lot while is under dispute.
2. In its decision, the ministry affirmed that Ms. Dong is allowed to manage the land lot, so the land manager is not the land owner and all transactions between her and others is illegal.
3. The church has not received any decision for the land lot seizure.
4. The nuns call on people to support them in the land dispute case.
5. The nuns call on developer and constructors not to involve in the construction works of the church’s land lot.
2.2 Violations in August
The first violation case: Followers of Protestant Sect in Yen Phu commune, Yen Phong district, Bac Ninh province harassed while meeting
On August 5, a group of Protestant followers held a meeting but shortly after gathering, police broke in, demanding administrative checking and asking them to leave. The police’s move violates as they broke in a private residence without showing any legal documents.
Police demanded that the followers have to register to the authorities when they want to meet each other.
The details of the harassment were posted here:
HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/699183276937837” https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/699183276937837
The second violation case: Clergies of the Thien An Monastery complain of water shortage as authorities in Hue seized their two water sources
After demolishing the Cross and beating clergies in June, authorities in Hue continue to harass them by seizing their main water sources, the Chatade dam and Thuy Tien lake. The authorities block the roads leading to the water reservoirs and destroy water pipes which take water from the two facilities to the monastery.
Due to the blockage, clergies in the monastery face serious water shortage for their living and agricultural production while water taken from the well in the monastery is poor in quality and not suitable for use.
Currently, the monastery relies on rain which is low during the dry season.
Authorities in Hue ignore the situation of the monastery’s clergies.
The third violation case: The Ministry of Construction rejected the petition of nuns at Paul Church in Hanoi on the disputed land lot in Quang Trung street.
In the morning of August 25, nuns of Paul Church were invited to work with Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Trong Khanh on settlement of the dispute over the land lot on 5A-5B Quang Trung street. The church sent a delegation of five nuns and three followers but only six of them were allowed to attend the meeting.
At the meeting, Ms. Quynh representing the church emphasized that the church bought the land lot 125 years ago and it has not been subject to seizure.
However, Mr. Khanh held his position, saying the ministry’s Decision number 803 is final, meaning the church has no right to use the land lot.
He also asked units of the ministry to work more on the case and cooperate with the Hanoi People’s Committee to issue the final decision. He also said the last move is to bring the case to court.
The meeting showed that authorities do not want to settle the dispute.
The fourth violation case: Authorities in Vinh confiscate education tools of Catholic nuns in Trung My sub-parish
On August 28, nuns of the Trung My sub-parish in Cau Ram parish, Vinh diocese were receiving kids who will study in a kindergarten located on Nguyen Truong To street, Hung Dong commune, Vinh City. Authorities in Vinh sent hundreds of police officers who seized study tables, chairs and other teaching tools of the facility.
The fifth violation case: Authorities in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak harass local Protestant sect
According to Facebooker Vo Ngoc Luc, in the morning of August 29, local Protestant followers were invited to pray for a family in Tan Hoa. After one-hour meeting, they left the family’s residence at 8.30 AM but they were stopped by local authorities, including police who questioned them the reason for gathering.
The police demanded the followers to ask for authorities’ approval for the next meetings while followers rejected, saying they will report the case to local authorities for disturbing them.
Finally, police withdrew from the scene.
2.3 Violations in September
The first violation case: Catholic priest under terror of pro-government thugs
In the morning of September 4, a group of around 20 pro-government thugs led by Nguyen Trong Nghia broke in the Tho Hoa church in Xuan Loc diocese in the southern province of Dong Nai in a bid to terror Priest Giuse Nguyen Duy Tan, an outspoken clergy on social issues.
Alarmed about the incident, followers gathered and blocked the thugs, detaining them before they can cause any harm to the priest and local residents.
Followers found that the group was armed with a gun, grenades, electronic batons and other weapons.
In their written confession in presence of local police, Nghia and his partners said they came to threaten priest Tan because the father publicly defames late President Ho Chi Minh and calls for multi-party democracy.
Priest Tan has been a subject to the government’s harassments recently after he publicly criticizes the communist government for its bad socio-economic management and systemic corruption as well as poorly settlement of environmental pollution.
In April, when he visited the central province of Nghe An, local authorities sent a letter to the Vinh Diocese to ask the local Catholic church not to allow him to hold vigils for local followers after priest Tan and thousands of followers in Phu Yen parish held a peaceful demonstration on April 24 to protest the Quynh Luu district police for beating two followers and robbing their t-shirts, which showed “No-Formosa” slogans.
Priest Tan had criticized the ruling Communist Party and its government, encouraging local Catholic followers to participate in demonstrations which have caused “social disorder” and calling for not respecting the party’s leadership in the country, Nghe An province’s authorities said.
Meanwhile, a number of Vietnamese activists have been attacked by pro-government thugs who remain unpunished or even protected by the government.
Among victims of assaults carried out by pro-government thugs are activists Le My Hanh and Trinh Dinh Hoa. Hanh was brutally beaten by thugs in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi while Mr. Hoa was assaulted once by Hanoi-based thugs.
The second violation case: Thug backed by authorities terror Catholic community in Dong Kieu parish
Pro-government thugs, backed by authorities in Dien My commune, Dien Chau district in the central province of Nghe An were reported to demolish properties of many Catholic followers in Dong Kieu parish.
According to the Thanh nien Cong giao (Catholic Youth) online newswire, thugs with support from the local authorities demolished the parish’s welcome gate in late August.
In the evening of September 15, when the Doksuri typhoon ended and electricity was cut, pro-government came to the parish and demolished religious statues and decorative plants of followers in the parish.
In the evening of the next day, thugs came to the parish again, destroying two transport cars, Mother Virgin statue and other properties of the family of a follower namely Hoe.
The attack was done under presence of local policemen, followers said, adding thugs threatened to burn private houses of parishioners.
Private residences of followers Tran Van Tuan, Tran Van Cuong, Tran Van Trinh, Hoang Van Hoe and many others were attacked with stones and bricks by thugs who caused significant damages to their houses.
Dien Chau is the locality where authorities are conducting activities to discriminate the local Catholic community and defame its priests who bravely speak out about environmental pollution and systemic corruption as well as China’s violations of the country’s sovereignty in the East Sea (South China Sea).
In July-August, pro-government thugs with support by the local authorities attacked Catholic followers in Song Ngoc parish. Some parishioners were beaten and their houses were demolished.
Thugs, with support from the local authorities held violent demonstrations in the parish to demand for deport of Priest Nguyen Ngoc Ngu from Dien My commune.
Not only Catholic priests and followers in Nghe An have been attacked by pro-government thugs. On September 4, a group of 15 pro-government thugs armed with a gun and other weapons went to Tho Xoan parish in Xuan Tho commune, Xuan Loc town, Dong Nai province in a bid to “punish” outspoken priest Nguyen Duy Tan and local parishioners. They were blocked before causing any harm to the community.
Many members of the group are related to the pro-government thugs who brutally assaulted female activist Le My Hanh and her friends in Ho Chi Minh City on May 2.
HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/716809468508551” https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/716809468508551
The third violation case: Protestant sect in Pho Yen district, Thai Nguyen province complains that it was not permitted to operate
On September 26, a group of Protestant followers in Pho Yen district, Thai Nguyen province said when it held a meeting in the private residence of Pham Xuan Yen in Dong Tam village, Ba Hang ward, police came to demand them to pledge not to hold a group meeting.
When the group moved to the house of Le Quang Tuan in Trung Thanh commune, it was also stopped from gathering. The followers moved to the private residence of followers Tran Van Toan in Tan Thinh village in the same commune, police also demanded them to ask the local authorities for approval.
In recent days, authorities deploy tens of police officers to block Mr. Toan’s house. In response, the followers said they would stop meeting if the police show a written document from the local authorities. However, police denied, saying they are working according to the direction from upper authorities.
On September 24, when followers came to Mr. Toan’s house, police came and violently dispersed them. Many followers were beaten by plainclothes agents and thugs. Mr. Tuan from Trung Thanh commune sustained severe injuries and was taken to a hospital. When the followers came to Pho Yen police to report the incident but the police refused to listen to the case.
Mr. Toan was addicted to alcohol but he totally changed when he became a Protestant.
The fourth violation case: Authorities in Dong Nai plan to seize land belonging to Phu Son parish, Xuan Loc diocese
Priest Quang Hoa, head of the Phu Son parish in Xuan Loc diocese called for support for Me Mong Trieu sub-parish when authorities in Dong Nai plan to seize land belonging to the sub-parish on October 5-6.
Details of the case: HYPERLINK “https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/718415728347925” https://www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/posts/718415728347925
PART 3: Progress in Freedom of Religions and Beliefs
3.1 Authorities in Kon Tum province granted a license for project to build Mang Den Mother pilgrimage center
On July 31, the People’s Committee signed a decision to grant 16,658 square meters of land for building Mang Den Mother pilgrimage center in Mang Den village, Dak Long commune, Kon Plong district.
3.2. On September 1, authorities in Dong Nai province publicized a decision for the establishment of Hoa Binh Catholic College in Xuan Loc. The college has become the first Catholic college in the country since 1975.
PART 4: EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION
4.1 Evaluation on freedom of religions and beliefs in Vietnam
– In the third quarter, despite some improvement on freedom of religion and beliefs, however, in some localities, authorities still harass local groups of Protestants.
– Vandalism occurred in many places where thugs demolished religious symbols, including the case in Vinh and Hue.
– In some localities, properties of religions have been subjects of seizure. In other places, local authorities have yet to return properties of churches.
4.2 Recommendations
– Vietnam’s government agencies must respect the freedom of religions and belief which is enshrined in the country’s 2013 Constitution.
– The ask-approve mechanism in religions and beliefs must be stopped.
– Settle completely disputes on properties of religious facilities and fully protect the properties of religious organizations.
– Authorities should allow religious groups to involve in education and health care.