The United States wants to remove Vietnam from the special watch list on religion.

Ambassador Marc E. Knapper affirmed that the US Government is very eager to cooperate with Vietnam in the field of religion and does not like the idea of ​​putting Vietnam on a special watch list.

Mr. Marc Evans Knapper, US Ambassador to Vietnam. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

On April 14, in an exchange with US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper on the issue of religion and religious freedom, Deputy Minister of the Interior Vu Chien Thang hoped that the Ambassador would make an important contribution to promoting the relationship between the Government and people of the two countries, truly being the "Ambassador of religion and religious policy " for Vietnam in the United States, as Reverend Franklin Graham said during his recent visit to Vietnam and participation in the "Spring of Love" program.

Deputy Minister Vu Chien Thang said that Vietnam has just published a white paper on religion, which includes official information about Vietnamese religions , guidelines, policies, and achievements on religion in Vietnam, which have been widely published and publicized in the media and public opinion.

In terms of policies and institutions, the Party and State of Vietnam have consistently defined a policy of religious freedom and created conditions for religions to develop. However, as a developing country, there are difficulties in implementing these policies consistently at the grassroots level. Vietnam is a country of many beliefs and religions, so it is difficult for the law to “cover” all behaviors towards religions.

"We are very receptive to the opinions of religious organizations. After 3 years of implementing the Law on Belief and Religion, state management agencies and religions have found that there are many shortcomings, especially at the grassroots level. We have asked the Government to review the Law and asked the National Assembly to explain the Law. While the Law has not been amended, the Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed to amend the detailed decree and many inappropriate provisions have been adjusted in the new decree," the Deputy Minister stated.

The Deputy Minister also affirmed that it is an undeniable fact that progress has been made in the policy of religious freedom, as well as the life of religions in Vietnam has become more open, liberal and has achieved remarkable results.

Unfortunately, in December 2022, the US State Department put Vietnam on the list of countries with special religious watch lists, which surprised those who directly work in religious affairs and legally operating religious organizations. The Ministry of the Interior is working with religions, with the support and assistance of agencies, to resolve this issue, creating openness in relations between the two countries in other areas.

“We understand that there are many channels to share and discuss this story clearly,” said Deputy Minister Vu Chien Thang; at the same time, we believe that, with our understanding of Vietnam, the role of the Ambassador and the responsibility of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the two sides will work towards the best goal.

Appreciating the spirit of open exchange between the Ministry of the Interior and the US Embassy, ​​as well as with his predecessor, Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink, Ambassador Marc E. Knapper shared that he greatly appreciated the opportunity to come to meet and discuss issues of mutual concern.

Expressing his gratitude when hearing Deputy Minister Vu Chien Thang mention that this year the two countries will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive partnership; Ambassador Marc E. Knapper said that the relationship between the two countries has grown and expanded in many areas, achieving many achievements. Over the past 10 years, the two countries have succeeded in having frank and open exchanges in many areas and at many levels.

At the end of March, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had a phone call with President Biden. The phone call was long, in-depth, detailed and friendly about the bilateral relationship. The two leaders also exchanged and accepted invitations to visit each other.

Over the past 10 years and 28 years since the normalization of relations between the two countries, representatives of the two countries have had many frank, open and respectful exchanges on issues of mutual concern, including the field of religious freedom.

Ambassador Marc E. Knapper said that he had served as political counselor at the US Embassy in Vietnam from 2004-2007. At that time, the Embassy team coordinated with Washington to remove Vietnam from the list of countries with concerns about religious freedom. This decision was made based on the US's objective assessment that "Vietnam has made very solid progress in creating conditions for religious believers to practice their desired beliefs and religions."

“Looking back on that decision, I am still very proud of the progress Vietnam has made in improving conditions for religious believers. Vietnam is making progress in this regard today. I supported that decision then and I support Vietnam now,” said the US Ambassador.

Vesak 2020, Buddhist year 2564 at Vietnam National Temple. (Photo: Xuan Khu/VNA)

Agreeing with the Deputy Minister of the Interior’s comments on the gaps between laws and law enforcement at the local level, Ambassador Marc E. Knapper said that this problem is not unique to Vietnam, but the United States also has gaps between laws, the Constitution, and the implementation of the Constitution and laws across the country. “I assure you that this is not a criticism aimed specifically at Vietnam,” he said.

The Ambassador also raised some stories that he considered “regrettable” when he heard in some places that the registration of religious practice of groups and group locations was prolonged, which hindered the spirit of ensuring religious freedom as stipulated in the Law on Belief and Religion.

On the one hand, the United States recognizes the progress in religious freedom in Vietnam in recent years, but on the other hand, with the story mentioned above, the United States decided to put Vietnam on a special watch list.

However, the US Ambassador affirmed that this list is not fixed but is always reviewed annually. Therefore, the Embassy wants to cooperate to remove Vietnam from this list. “Please trust us. What we really want to do is cooperate with Vietnam. Although there is no fixed formula or roadmap for how to get off this list, there are a number of things the Government can do to demonstrate Vietnam's continued commitment to promoting conditions for believers and religions.”

He made some suggestions such as when believers encounter difficulties in their beliefs and religions, local authorities need to take prompt action to resolve the issue, and those responsible should be reminded and disciplined. Along with that, streamlining the process of registering religious activities demonstrates Vietnam's commitment to ensuring freedom of belief and religion.

“The US government is very eager to cooperate with Vietnam in this area, we do not like putting Vietnam on a special watch list,” Ambassador Marc E. Knapper affirmed.

He also emphasized that any information the Embassy receives from local religious groups or international non-governmental organizations that Vietnam finds inaccurate, incomplete, or unverified should be discussed, because the ultimate goal of the United States is to have accurate information. When the report on the situation of religious freedom in the United States is published, any information that Vietnam finds inaccurate can be contacted with the Ambassador, the bilateral exchange channel is always open.

Acknowledging the goodwill of the US Ambassador, Deputy Minister Vu Chien Thang expressed his belief that the Ambassador's opinion and the spirit of the Ministry of Home Affairs will meet; with the efforts of both sides, Vietnam will soon be removed from the special watch list on religion.

To clarify, the Deputy Minister cited the progress in the religious freedom policy in Vietnam, emphasizing that the Party's institutions, guidelines, and policies are consistent: Liberating resources, liberating religion, and ensuring freedom of belief and religion for everyone. The Constitution and policies clearly show that the need for belief and religion is considered a legitimate need of all people, regardless of class, including those deprived of citizenship, as well as foreigners residing in Vietnam.

Discussing frankly the issues mentioned by the Ambassador, Deputy Minister Vu Chien Thang said that Vietnam currently has 3,000 group points in the Northwest and Central Highlands regions that have not joined official religious organizations, but have their own activities and beliefs, and local authorities still allow group points to be registered if they comply with legal regulations.

Or for groups of foreigners who have religious activities, the localities where they reside still create conditions for their activities. Currently, there are 6 such groups operating.

Recently, the Ministry of Interior coordinated with authorities to transfer nearly 4,500 religious bibles to 54 prisons so that prisoners who are believers can access and practice them.

The Prime Minister has met twice with religious dignitaries and leaders to listen to their thoughts and aspirations. Through this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has consulted with the Prime Minister and given specific opinions to each ministry and sector to resolve the issue. Religions have also contributed great resources to the construction and development of the country.

According to Deputy Minister Vu Chien Thang, the Ministry of Home Affairs will take serious action against localities where violations, disrespect, lack of understanding, and insults to religious beliefs occur. The above incidents are partly due to religious organizations not respecting local regulations, and partly due to local officials' lack of understanding.

The achievements are fundamental and general, while some incidents occurring at the grassroots level are not fundamental, not universal, not policies, but due to the lack of understanding of grassroots cadres, as well as the compliance of believers at the grassroots level, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs emphasized.

He suggested that the US side look at the overall picture, not at the incident, to make a general assessment of the policies of the Party and State of Vietnam; hoping that the Embassy and the Ambassador would pay attention and support this. Vietnam is a multi-faith and multi-religious country. It is necessary to learn more about the real life of beliefs, policies and principles of Vietnam through major religions with many followers and activities accompanying the nation. With incidents occurring at the grassroots level, the two sides need to agree and exchange information in advance. The Ministry of Home Affairs is ready to work with the Ambassador to get to the core of the problem./.

Chu Thanh Van (Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)