United States Working To Improve Religious Freedom in Vietnam

[Judi Lynn]

30 March 2006

United States Working To Improve Religious Freedom in Vietnam
State's Hanford says Vietnam revising laws, educating local officials on issue

By Todd Bullock
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- The United States is working with Vietnam to improve religious freedom in the country, says John Hanford III, U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

Under the terms of recent negotiations, Vietnam has agreed to address a number of issues, including reopening house churches and meeting places that had previously been closed, Hanford told a joint hearing of two House International Relations subcommittees March 29.

According to Hanford, Vietnam's legislature is working on the promulgation of a new legal framework that would ban forced religious denunciations and define land-use rights for registered and recognized churches.

"Vietnam has also agreed to ensure local officials fully implement the new legal framework on religion with the understanding that while this new framework holds promise for religious freedom, it means nothing if there is not implementation," he said.
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