Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam, denounced the passage today of a revised Law on Religion and Belief, saying the law was fundamentally flawed, violating Vietnam’s international obligations to protect human rights and increasing the government’s control over religious life in Vietnam.

    “This law is not a step forward.  People of faith will continue to suffer under a Communist Party that wants to restrict religious liberty rather than protect a fundamental human right,” said Smith, Chairman of the Subcommittee that monitors international human rights. “State control remains the first priority of the Vietnamese government, vague national security provisions provide the government an excuse to harass, torture and imprison peaceful religious believers and those advocating for greater religious freedom. Despite repression, religious communities continue to grow, the new law is not the change the Vietnamese people want or need.”

     Vietnam’s National Assembly, dominated by the Vietnamese Communist Party, has been considering revisions to the Law on Religion and Belief for over a year.  The previous law did not comply with international human rights commitments the Vietnamese Government has made and in revising it, the government had the opportunity to make positive changes to address existing deficiencies.

    The revisions continue the trend of promoting and benefiting state-sanctioned religious organizations over independent religious groups.  In addition, the revised law expands government interference in the activities of religious communities and makes it more likely for religious advocates to be charged with national security offenses which carry lengthy sentences.

     “It has been ten years since Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation was removed by the State Department. That designation led to some positive developments and removing it was a mistake. This new law demonstrates that Vietnam will continue to prioritize repression over freedom.”

     “We are optimistic that the incoming administration will take this opportunity to promote American values and interests by firmly opposing continued religious freedom violations and pressing for legal reforms that allow the Vietnamese people to practice their religion freely and without restrictions.” concluded Smith.

     Smith has chaired 8 hearings on human rights in Vietnam. The most recent, “The President’s Visit to Vietnam: A Missed Opportunity to Advance Human Rights,” was in June of this year.

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