Perfecting the system of policies and laws on beliefs and religions

(Baonghean.vn) – On the morning of August 5, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs coordinated with the Provincial People's Committee to organize a workshop: "Implementation of policies and laws on beliefs and religions in Vietnam: Looking back 10 years".

Attending the workshop were Mr. Bui Thanh Ha - Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs; Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and representatives of the Committee for Religious Affairs of provinces and cities in the Northern and Central Highlands regions.

Conference scene.

Vietnam currently has 39 organizations belonging to 14 religions that have been recognized and granted registration to operate by the State with more than 24.3 million followers, accounting for about 27% of the country's population, nearly 53,000 dignitaries and monks, 133,700 officials, nearly 70% of the population has beliefs with over 45,000 religious establishments.

Over the past 10 years, the legal policies on beliefs and religions have been increasingly improved to ensure the freedom of belief and religion of the people, and to strengthen the great national unity bloc. Many previous problems in the relationship between the State and religion have been resolved and increasingly resolved positively. The awareness of beliefs and religions of cadres and party members in the political system has many positive changes. Activities that take advantage of religion have been effectively prevented and combated, ensuring security and order in areas of religious communities.

The parish priest of Hoi Yen (Nghi Van - Nghi Loc) urged parishioners to hand over their weapons.

However, there are still many types of restored and developed beliefs that have not been managed, and some of their activities are deviant and anti-cultural. In addition, there are currently about 80 organizations, sects, and religious groups that have not been recognized. There are still violations of the law in religious activities, a number of religious dignitaries and followers do not trust the policies of the Party and the State; the situation of land complaints and lawsuits related to religion is still complicated...

In implementing policies and laws on beliefs and religions, there are still many limitations such as there are shortcomings and unclear points leading to lack of regulations or incomplete regulations; there are no sanctions to handle violations from both sides, so the effectiveness is still limited; the organization and staff working on beliefs and religions are not commensurate with the assigned tasks; the work of organizing and disseminating the Party and State's guidelines and policies is not regular and one-sided...

Poor households receive charity gifts at Thuan Hau Pagoda (Yen Thanh).

At the workshop, many presentations from localities exchanged experiences and pointed out difficulties in resolving issues arising from land issues for religions, the lack of specific legal bases causing difficulties for localities, and the weak and thin team of religious workers.

Speaking at the workshop, Comrade Bui Thanh Ha - Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs said that in the coming time, the situation of beliefs and religions will develop and strongly affect people's lives and security and order. Besides, opposing forces at home and abroad continue to take advantage of and use beliefs and religions to gather opposing forces, cause disturbances and sabotage the great national unity bloc.

Comrade Bui Thanh Ha - Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs discussed recommendations from localities.

In that situation, he suggested that localities continue to strengthen State management, train officials, strengthen advocacy, propaganda and guidance on full implementation of policies and laws on beliefs and religions. Regarding the recommendations of localities, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs will collect and report to have directions for adjustment to perfect the system of policies and laws on beliefs and religions.

Nguyen Hung