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VNHRN raised concerns about the Removal of Vietnam from CPC List
Vietnam Human Rights Network14550 Magnolia St., Suite 203 * Westminster, CA 92683 - USA Tel: (714) 719-5220 & 897-1950 * Fax (562) 422-7676 Email: vnhrnet@vietnamhumanrights.net * http://www.vnhrnet.org
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November 20, 2006
Hon. Condoleezza Rice Secretary of the U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520
Re.: Concerns about the Removal of Vietnam from CPC List
Dear Secretary Rice:
The Vietnam Human Rights Network (VHRN) would like to present its view to you regarding the State Department’s decision on Nov. 13, 2006 to remove Vietnam from its list of Designation of Countries of Particular Concern for Severe Violations of Religious Freedom (CPC).
The CPC list includes countries that do not allow freedom of religion and have a tendency for religious repression. Though Vietnam has displayed some modicum of reform on the surface, most of the religions not being recognized by the government are not allowed to operate. This policy represents a serious violation of Vietnam’s Constitution and International Human Rights Laws. The Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, and the Protestant Churches are major religious organizations which were allowed to operate freely under the Republic of Vietnam before 1975. Under the current government, however, they have been strictly prohibited or brutally repressed in complete disregard to their continuous legal status. In its 2006 report, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) stated that “The government of Vietnam continues to commit systematic and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief”, and expressed its disappointment about the State Department’s decision on Nov 13, 2006 to remove Vietnam from the CPC list. Christian Solidarity Worldwide also voiced its grave concern on Nov. 14, 2006.
The government’s recent decision to loosen slightly its grip on religious freedom is on one hand only a façade, and on the other hand limited in scope. It is a façade because it is only a superficial coat of paint for international propaganda and display, with no substance nor good intentions. Small changes are implemented in cities so foreigners may perceive some improvements. Meanwhile, in remote areas, especially in the highlands and mountains, religious oppression is getting worse because local governments rule at will, and ignore the new written guidelines on religion from the central government, which lacks good intentions and lets local governments having their way. It is limited in scope because the government has always had a policy of discrimination, granting special privileges to government-established religions, creating procedural difficulties for government-sanctioned religions, and oppressing all outlaws religions.
In Vietnam today, freedom of religion and most basic human rights are not respected. The VNHRN would like to express its grave concern about the removal of Vietnam from the CPC list, and would like the State Department to reconsider its decision in the coming years, until Vietnam is seriously committed to respect the freedom of religion, that people can clearly recognize through the annual report of the USCIRF, and the official reports from the major religious groups currently victimized.
Sincerely Yours,
“Robert” Nguyen Le Chairman and President
Vietnam Human Rights Network |