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Contact: Ha Thi Van, +84 (0) 96-230-3000, quyentongiao@gmail.com
SAIGON, Nov. 10, 2015 /Standard Newswire/ -- The Vietnam-based Association to Protect Freedom of Religion (APFOR) today entered its second phase of the Tu Do Ton Giao [religious freedom] campaign, which aims to invite community members, especially Vietnamese youth, to voice their opinions about the country's draft Law on Religion and Belief.
This call to action was made when the National Assembly released a schedule of debating the draft law at three working sessions between 29 October and 20 November.
A supporter of the #TuDoTonGiao campaign, Cao Dai sub-dignitary Doan Cong Danh, said, "People tend to think that religious matters should be left to adherents of each religion alone. It is this attitude that renders citizens passive and alienated from their own rights.
"Our society is in need of caring youths, who are willing to speak up for their rights and those of others," Mr. Danh told APFOR from Phu Yen Province.
APFOR proposes three simple actions that community members can take, including a photo and video contest on Facebook, to raise awareness about the mentioned draft law.
- Create photos or drawings to attract public attention to religious freedom.
- Produce a short video sharing one's wishes for religious freedom in Vietnam or making suggestions about the draft Law on Religion and Belief.
- Send comments on the draft law by post or email to relevant government agencies.
To date APFOR has produced five videos about various aspects of the right to religious freedom, all in an effort to open a new space for community discussions. Their latest video highlights the "registration-recognition" ("asking-and-giving") mechanism, which subjects all religious activities and organizations in the country to a burdensome and mandatory process of administration: www.facebook.com/quyentongiao/videos/441472096042291.
The Party-State in Vietnam has always asserted that they have a specific set of policies and measures to ensure the people's full enjoyment of freedom of religion and belief.
However, the draft Law on Religion and Belief reflects a mentality still deeply influenced by the "asking-and-giving" mechanism, a National Assembly member recently admitted.
In fact, this draft law should be revised in a way that ensures that the practice of religion or belief is not conditional upon a process of State recognition, registration and approval, according to a joint statement issued on 3 November by 27 international civil society organizations, including Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
About Association to Protect Freedom of Religion: The Association to Protect Freedom of Religion (APFOR) was founded in early 2014 in accordance with Article 24 and Article 25 of the Vietnamese Constitution. Its mission is helping everyone in Vietnam fulfill their right to freedom of religion and fighting any attempt to restrain or obstruct the exercise of this right.
Since the establishment, APFOR has published quarterly reports on religious persecution and advocated for military personnel to better practice their faiths.
The association is a partner of the Thailand-based United Nations Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia. APFOR’s members defend religious liberty publicly in Hanoi, Nghe An, Dong Nai, Saigon, Can Tho and Tra Vinh.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Ms. Ha Thi Van – coordinator
Association to Protect Freedom of Religion
Email: quyentongiao@gmail.com
Phone: +84(0)962303000
