GVN Updates on Religious Freedom

UNCLAS HANOI 000664 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND DRL/IRF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL VM SUBJECT: GVN Updates on Religious Freedom REFS: A. HANOI 0411; B. HANOI 0657 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On May 30, POLOFF and visiting DRF/IRF officer met with Mr. Dang Tai Tinh, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Government Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA),to discuss the 2008 Human Rights Dialogue and implementation of the legal framework on religion, including registrations and training issues. Mr. Tinh also noted that the GVN will host a delegation from the Vatican, June 9-15, 2008, to conduct regular bilateral meetings. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Poloffs provided a summary of the 2008 Human Rights Dialogue, held May 29, highlighting that the U.S. side was particularly pleased with Vietnam's progress on religious freedom in recent years. Areas for continued improvement include increasing the pace of registrations, continuing training for local officials to reduce incidents of abuse, and holding local officials accountable for abuses that occur. ¶3. (SBU) Mr. Tinh pointed out that GVN has a consistent policy to protect religious freedom; however, the GVN also has legitimate concerns about religious groups undermining social order. The GVN is very concerned about the appearance of cults with "strange and dangerous" practices that might influence and convert rural people who may lack education or understanding. Mr. Tinh raised the recent case of the breakaway Mormon polygamist group in Texas, stating that the GVN found such groups "very troubling". ¶4. (SBU) While the registration of congregations in the Central Highlands has progressed well, Mr. Tinh acknowledged that difficulties remain in the Northwest. He pointed out that in that region traditional beliefs are deeply rooted and the presence of new religions may cause conflicts in families when one member joins a new religion and other members retain traditional beliefs. Mr. Tinh emphasized that the GVN attaches importance to social stability and order and family conflict was a very real concern. ¶5. (SBU) Agreeing that the local officials' awareness of the legal framework on religion is very low, Mr. Tinh stated that CRA knows that religious groups are demanding better from local officials and is trying to respond. CRA has conducted many training classes and will do more, but he cautioned that "change won't happen overnight." When asked about the review to assess the implementation of the legal framework, Mr. Tinh was unaware of the review, but promised to provide more information after looking into it. ¶6. (SBU) Turning to outstanding land claims by religious organizations, Mr. Tinh noted that land issues are complicated by Vietnam's colonial and wartime history, resulting in competing claims. He asserted that all claims would be dealt with according to Vietnamese law and in cooperation with local authorities. ¶7. (SBU) In closing, Mr. Tinh confirmed the dates June 9-15 for the visit of a Vatican delegation to Hanoi to conduct the next in an ongoing series of regular bilateral consultations with the Holy See. MICHALAK