Vietnam
Although the Vietnamese Communist government claims to respect religious freedom, many officials continue to harass and persecute Christians, especially among the ethnic minorities. Arbitrary treatment of religious groups is commonplace, and even government policy on religion appears to be highly inconsistent: although in 2004-2005, a new legislative framework for religious freedom was set out, yet official government documents mandate local authorities in the north-west to force Christians to surrender their faith. New procedures for the registration of churches are complicated and unevenly implemented, causing considerable confusion among unregistered churches. Since Vietnam joined the World Trade Organisation in 2006, the government has begun a fresh crackdown, including targeting Christian human rights defenders.
Press releases
Vietnam - Priest beaten and thrown from hospital window, as Catholics protest police violence 30/07/2009
Vietnam: Government training manual spreads suspicion of Protestant Religion 08/07/2009
CSW supports unprecedented Vietnamese Church appeal against government interference 24/04/2008
CSW and ISHR condemn Vietnamese instruction to ’resolutely subdue’ religion 19/02/2008
CSW disappointed at Vietnamese Christian lawyers appeal verdict 29/11/2007
more...
Reports
Vietnam - Analysis: 2008 Internal ‘Training Manual for the Task Concerning the Protestant Religion’ 01/06/2009
Vietnam: Analysis of the revised 2007 Internal Training Manual ‘Concerning the Task of the Protestant Religion in the Northern Mountainous Region 01/02/2008
Analysis of white paper on religion - Vietnam 01/03/2007
Vietnam: Analysis of the 2006 internal training manual ’Concerning the task of the Protestant religion in the Northern Mountainous Region’ 01/11/2006
