Vietnam Fatherland Front Discusses Religious Freedom

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HANOI 000657 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL/IRF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL VM SUBJECT: Vietnam Fatherland Front Discusses Religious Freedom REFS: A. HANOI 0278; B. HANOI 0442 HANOI 00000657 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Poloff and DRL/IRF officer met with Mr. Tran Dinh Phung, Permanent member of the Central Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Presidium and Head of its Board for Ethnicity and Religious Affairs (Vice Minister rank),on May 28 to discuss the VFF role in the promotion of religious freedom in Vietnam. After explaining the VFF's role, Mr. Phung shared that there is currently a review of the implementation of the legal framework on religion underway, and highlighted the VFF's support to upgrade the Ordinance on Religion to a law as well as expand freedom for religious groups to undertake social and charitable activities. End Summary. ¶2. (U) The VFF is a political alliance of social organizations, political groups, professional associations, ethnic groups, religious groups, and groups of Vietnamese living overseas, all underpinned by the Communist Party of Vietnam. The VFF is an umbrella organization, Mr. Phung explained, intended to unite all social groups and mobilize the people to continue social and economic development. The VFF also participates in drafting laws, recommending revisions when necessary. After passage of legislation, the VFF collects feedback and may provide recommendations to government and state offices to improve implementation of laws. The VFF is led by a central office in Hanoi and maintains executive committees at the provincial level, as well as representatives at the district and commune levels. ¶3. (SBU) Mr. Phung underscored that the VFF takes the implementation of the legal framework on religion very seriously, noting that, "our responsibility is to encourage religious clergy and local government officials to implement religious framework." He went on to explain that each of the six major religions in Vietnam has a seat on the advisory council and all religious groups are members of the VFF. The VFF provides an open forum where members of religious groups can share ideas and opinions, address problems, and make recommendations for improvements. "The VFF wants religious followers to be good citizens and good followers," he said, adding "religious believers are our family members." ¶4. (SBU) Noting that Vietnam has no ethnic or religious conflicts, Mr. Phung pointed to good interfaith relations, along with the growing numbers of religious followers and religious places of worship as positive signs for religious freedom in Vietnam. Mr. Phung went on to acknowledge the uneven implementation of the legal framework at local levels, commenting that while government and local officials are supposed to understand and implement all laws, actual practice may be different. In remote areas, many local officials are often not keen on learning about new information and new responsibilities; however, the GVN is working to standardize qualifications for local officials without sufficient education in order to improve the dissemination and understanding of legal information. ¶5. (SUB) When asked about specific recommendations to improve the implementation of the legal framework on religion, Mr. Phung responded that the VFF is coordinating with the GVN on a review of the three years of implementation of the legal framework, focusing both on achievements and needed improvements, as well as what more can be done. Once the review is complete, the VFF will make official recommendations, with the goal of having the recommendation submitted by the end of 2008. ¶6. (SBU) Mr. Phung highlighted several areas where the VFF would like to see improvements. Specifically, the VFF hopes the National Assembly will consider making the legal framework stronger by turning the current ordinance into law. Mr. Phung noted that the VFF is also discussing how the GVN can facilitate pending registration requests from religious groups, as well as assist groups in training and ordaining more pastors and priests. ¶7. (SBU) The VFF is also looking to expand the freedom of religious groups undertake more social and charitable activities, particularly in the areas of assistance to the poor and disabled, as well as to HIV/AIDS sufferers. Mr. Phung advocated for the ability of religious organizations to be able set up clinics and provide medical services, and establish schools, noting that such activities provided needed social services and will better integrate religious organizations and followers into their communities. ¶8. (SBU) With regard to the various land disputes between religious groups and the GVN, Mr. Phung explained that the VFF proposal is to seek agreement from religious groups that where the land is now being used for religious, social, or charitable activities, they will not pursue their claim. He added that the GVN should also facilitate applications from religious groups that request land for new facilities. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: The VFF's position as the lead mass organization in Vietnam, as well as its role in promoting Communist Party HANOI 00000657 002.2 OF 002 doctrine throughout the country makes it a heavyweight on social issues such as religious freedom. As such, VFF's progressive recommendations on strengthening the legal framework on religion, improving registrations and training, and expanding freedom for religious organizations to undertake social and charitable activities are positive signs for continued progress on religious freedom. As with the existing legal framework on religion, the challenge will be the implementation of any new policy recommendations at the local level. End comment.