Hanoi
consults bishops on a new law on faiths that violates religious freedom
AsiaNews
05/04/2015
The government’s unusual initiative, for a bishop,
feeds a suspicion of an attempt to “appear democratic”. The new laws violate
"the right to freedom of religion", go against the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, show
that the purpose of government is "to profoundly interfere with religious
affairs", continuing policies that encourage corruption and allows abuse by
local authorities.
Hanoi (AsiaNews) - The
Vietnamese government's draft laws on "faith and religion" are in violation of
"the right to freedom of religion", go against the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, show
that the purpose of government is "to profoundly interfere with religious
affairs", continuing policies that encourage corruption and allows abuse by
local authorities.
This is the harsh- and
courageous - response of some Vietnamese bishops to the government request that
the prelates comment on new rules proposed by the Committee for Religious
Affairs. This - quite unusual - decision by the Government department to consult
the bishops and the shortness of the time allowed for a response - 13 days -
feeds a suspicion of the government’s attempt to “appear democratic” or an
attempt to give officials who deal with religion means to "tighten their grip".
The Kontum diocese document, signed by Bishop Hoang
Duc Oanh and bishop emeritus Tran Thanh Chung, points to the violation of the UN
Declaration and the Constitution and states that the bills are also against the
democratization of the country. "Developed countries do not need any agency in
charge of religions". "Every religion - continues the text - has its canons and
rules. It is absurd that 'non-believers' want to set the rules for people of
faith". "This – continues the text - should be the job of the law makers who are
religious or faith oriented and of those who truly are religious leaders, not of
those "who are non-believers."
From his part, Msgr. Joseph Nguyen Duc Hieu, vicar
general of the diocese of Bac Ninh, recalls that the Vietnamese Constitution
affirms the right to freedom of religion and "recognizes, respects, protects and
guarantees" the right of citizens to work in the political, economic, cultural
and social sphere.
And echoing the bishops of Kontum, he repeats what
the Bishops' Conference stated, in 2013 when it discussed the updating of the
Constitution: " Everyone has the right to freedom of belief and religion,
including the right to follow any religion or to follow no religion, the right
to practice religious rituals, both individually and communally. None of
religion or ideology can be considered mandatory for Vietnamese people. The
government should not propagate negative views on religions nor interfere with
the internal religious affairs such as formation, ordination, transfer of
clergy, adjusting ecclesiastical borders...Religious organizations should have
the freedom to engage in activities that serve the society in the areas of
social welfare. "
"The current draft laws – he states - are against
the right to freedom of religion and faith." "An an overall view of the draft
bill indicates that it is going against The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and The Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam which was
amended in 2013. We observe that the Draft Bills is a setback compared to
the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions
in 2004". That was thought to be a limit to the freedom of religion. "Freedom of
religion is a right, not a privilege. But the Draft Bills show many shortcomings
and limitations on this right. All religious organizations and their dignitaries
instead of enjoying the legitimate rights, have to be asking for them when they
want to organize ceremonies, training, ordination etc…".
"The above are – he concludes - our sincere
comments and suggestions. We wholeheartedly hope that the Law on faith and
religion is indeed a legal document of progressiveness, for the happiness of
people, where the biggest of all happiness is the freedom to practice their
religious beliefs and live their spiritual life. Only then society can develop
steadfastly and beautifully, when all are aiming for serving the people in
harmony with the development of mankind including the people of Vietnam.