Christian human rights organisation calls for fair treatment of Vietnamese
church facing criminal charges for Covid outbreak
by Kelly
Valencia | Christian News
05 Jun 2021
Human rights
watchdog, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is calling for fair treatment of
a church congregation by authorities after reports of criticism and allegations
by both state media and social media users emerged against an independent church
in Ho Chi Minh City.
Revival
Ekklesia Mission (REM) is facing criminal charges after 211 coronavirus cases
were confirmed as linked to the church while Vietnam faces a surge in cases.
The sudden
rise in infection rates in Vietnam has led authorities to start Covid-testing
the 9 million inhabitants of Ho Chi Minh to stop the spread of the virus.
However, CSW
is concerned that limitation of freedom of religion or belief on public health
grounds is being applied to the church in a discriminatory manner.
According to
Morning Star News, although REM is registered with the local authorities to
carry out religious activities, is not “legally recognised” as a religious
organisation. The report adds that on 30th May, authorities temporarily
suspended REM’s registration.
The Deputy
Minister of Home Affairs, who also serves as the chairman of the Government
Committee of Religious Affairs, stated that REM was not a church and its leaders
could not call themselves “reverend” or “pastor”.
Under
Vietnamese law, official registration is required for a wide range of religious
activities and official recognition can take several years.
CSW’s
Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “We are concerned by reports of criticisms
and allegations against the church and its leader both by state media and social
media users, and particularly by reports of the ‘singling out’ of churches by
authorities, apparently in connection with this outbreak.
“We call on
the authorities to ensure that any limitations on public health grounds are
applied in a non-discriminatory manner, and that they are not instrumentalised
to undermine the future enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms. We further
call on the authorities to ensure that any criminal investigations are carried
out in line with international standards which protect the rights of the persons
involved, in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
to which Vietnam is a party.”
The pastors
of the church, currently hospitalised due to covid-related health complications,
have made a public apology and have urged church members to cooperate with
authorities.
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