Is Vietnam’s new religion law a smokescreen for political repression?
Communist government defends legislation as guarding ‘national unity’; rights groups say its vagueness will be used to crack down on dissent
A controversial law on religion passed in Vietnam has triggered renewed fears of state repression in the name of national unity.
Vietnam ignored the wishes of the international community in ratifying the Law on Belief and Religion, which many fear will be used by police and authorities to persecute people of faith. The National Assembly passed it late last month with 85 per cent of the vote, despite unprecedented objections, including some from within the country’s ruling Communist Party.
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Among the law’s fiercest critics is the Interfaith Council of Vietnam, whose 27 council members – from Christian, Buddhist, Cao Dai and Hoa Hao communities – say religious groups are under no obligation to obey it.
“As spiritual leaders struggling for religions’ independence and the people’s human and civil rights, we completely reject the [law] that the communist government is using the National Assembly to approve and impose,” the group said. “Accepting [it] means continuing to support the dictatorial regime.”
The Government Committee for Religious Affairs says the law will increase its management scope and help thwart hardline groups, such as sects and cults and others who use religion to threaten national unity.