ICC Note:

Vietnam will violate International Human Rights Law if it imposes a draft law that would implement strict limitations on the right to religious freedom. Christian Solidarity Worldwide and other civil society organizations have banded together to highlight concerns about the draft and to call for a reform. Provisions in the draft law would empower the government to have control over the people’s right to express their faith freely. This is especially threatening to Christians who already face great persecution at the hands of this Communist government. 

10/07/2016 Vietnam (CSW News) – Vietnam’s draft Law on Belief and Religion acknowledges “the right to freedom of religion and belief” and says that the government “respects and protects the freedom of religion and belief of everyone”.

However, in its current state, the draft Law places severe limitations on the right to freedom of religion or belief which are not compatible with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Vietnam is a party. Religious leaders and legal experts fear that if passed the draft law would act as a powerful instrument which would allow the repression of religious activities and communities to continue.

In a joint statement, CSW and other civil society organisations have highlighted concerns about the draft such as onerous requirements for the registration of religious organisations, excessive state control over and interference in religious organisations’ internal affairs, and overly broad and ambiguous language that may lead to discrimination.

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