Conference on dissemination of the Law on Belief and Religion 2016

(Baonghean.vn) - On the morning of September 14, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to disseminate the Law on Belief and Religion and provide information on the situation of religious work. Comrade Bui Thanh Ha - Deputy Head of the Standing Committee, Government Committee for Religious Affairs directly discussed some basic contents of the Law.

Attending the conference were comrades Le Xuan Dai - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Nguyen Huu Cau - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Provincial Police; delegates working in religious affairs from provincial and district departments, branches and sectors.

Delegates attending the conference. Photo: Canh Nam

The Law on Belief and Religion was passed by the 14th National Assembly on November 18, 2016, effective from January 1, 2018. The Law consists of 9 chapters, 8 sections, and 68 articles, specifying the provisions of the 2013 Constitution on human rights and freedom of belief and religion; closely following the Party and State's guidelines and policies on belief and religion; ensuring that religious activities are consistent with Vietnam's political and social conditions.

The Law also has basic new points such as: expanding the subjects exercising the right to freedom of belief and religion; reducing the time for recognizing religious organizations; adding content on conferring titles on foreigners legally residing in Vietnam; being allowed to gather for private religious activities at religious establishments or at other legal locations in Vietnam; being allowed to invite dignitaries and monks who are Vietnamese or foreigners to preach.

The 2016 Law on Belief and Religion is considered a new step forward, ensuring that religious activities in Vietnam comply with the law and are in line with the world's integration trend in the current situation.

Thoroughly understanding the basic contents of this Law on Belief and Religion is to contribute to ensuring the speed and synchronization in implementation and promoting the positive impact of the law in real life.

Comrade Bui Thanh Ha announced some contents about the religious situation. Photo: Canh Nam

At the conference, Comrade Bui Thanh Ha reported on some recent religious situations, as well as policies and solutions. Accordingly, in general, the religious spirit still accompanies the nation; prejudices and inferiority complexes are gradually overcome and eliminated; many Catholics and non-Catholics have been implementing well the policies of the Party and State, together with the whole country in socio-economic development.

However, in some places, religious activities, specifically Catholicism, are still very complicated. Among the 26 dioceses, Vinh Diocese is relatively complicated, not simply a religious activity, even having political overtones. In particular, hostile and reactionary forces in exile take advantage of Catholic issues to increase plots of peaceful evolution, violent overthrow, etc.

Comrade Bui Thanh Ha suggested that those working in religious affairs must keep a warm heart and a cool head, focus on resolving legitimate religious activities in accordance with Vietnamese law; focus on resolving issues of land and religious facilities; the issue of Catholicism expanding to remote areas; and resolutely and promptly fight against violations, possibly temporarily suspending religious activities if they intentionally violate the law.

Some extremists obstructed traffic on National Highway 1A through Dien Chau district on May 15, 2017. Photo courtesy

Speaking at the conference, comrade Le Xuan Dai announced a number of religious activities in Nghe An.Accordingly, in recent times, there have been a number of illegal religious activities, notably some that have taken advantage of theological doctrines to incite and sabotage the government; obstructing religious followers from exercising their rights and obligations under the law as citizens; obstructing normal activities of the people such as gathering in large numbers to obstruct traffic; organizing ceremonies and festivals outside the worship grounds, on traffic routes...

The Provincial Party Committee, People's Committee, and relevant sectors have promptly directed the resolution, so basically all complicated issues have been handled. Many localities have overcome loopholes and shortcomings, thereby preventing loopholes for subjects to take advantage of.

Comrade Le Xuan Dai concluded the conference. Photo: Canh Nam

The Vice Chairman emphasized that in the coming time, all levels and sectors need to focus on seriously implementing the Party's regulations and policies and the State's laws on religious issues, especially the law on religious beliefs as well as issued regulations./.

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