Vietnam and US Hold 12th Human Rights Dialogue

Vietnam and the US had a frank discussion on democracy and human rights at the 12th round of their human right dialogues.

Present at the dialogue in Washington D.C on April 24 were Pham Binh Minh, Assistant to the Vietnamese Foreign Minister, and B. F. Lowenkron, US Assistant Secretary of State.

UNHCR Rejects HRW Report Allegations on Vietnam

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond at the press briefing, on 16 June 2006, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.


Vietnam, Cambodia to Crack Down On Cross-border Human Trafficking

Vietnam and Cambodia will crack down on human trafficking operations across the border between the two countries, the Ministry of Public Security said on 17 May.

The campaign, scheduled to begin in July 2006, is expected to create breakthroughs in the fight against woman and child trafficking, which has shown an increasing trend over recent years, the ministry said.

Vietnam to Release 21 Foreigners on Amnesty

Twenty-one foreigners are among 10,428 inmates to receives pardons Vietnam’s President Tran Duc Luong in the largest-ever amnesty to mark the 60th Sept. 2 National Day, an official announced Monday.

The foreigners to be freed include two Chinese, four Americans, five Cambodians, three Malaysians, four Taiwanese, one South Korean, a Laotian and a Cameroonian, said Nguyen Van Bich, deputy director of the Presidential Office at a press conference in Hanoi.

Chairman: Party, State Policies Ensure Basic Needs of Religious Organizations and People

Ha Noi (VNA) August 2 - The implementation of the Party's resolutions on religious issues and the Ordinance on Religions and Beliefs has met the basic needs of religious organizations and people, said Ngo Yen Thi, Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs.

Vietnam Religious Ordinance Promulgated

Ho Chi Minh City, 29 July: According to Catholic priest Vu Quang Trung of Jesus Christ from the Hien Linh Monastery, the Government Ordinance on Religions and Belief and its guidance decree have helped usher in a new chapter for spiritual activities of religious people. The promulgation of the mandate clearly reflects the state respect for people's religious and belief freedom, and their spiritual needs and activities, the priest added.

US Religious Official Visits Central Highland Province

President of the US's Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) Chris Seiple on Tuesday visited the Central Highland province of Gia Lai on June 28 to inquire into the religious atmosphere there.

Seiple later said the visit brought him “fresh information” on the religious situation in the Central Highlands in general that the international community and international organizations have yet to obtain.

He also said that his trip to Gia Lai will help improve the relationship between Vietnam and other countries, particularly between Vietnam and the US.

US Veteran Fund leader: Vietnam’s religious practices “very open”

An American Veteran who has lived in Vietnam for nearly 10 years said that he saw no problem with the tolerance for religious practices in the country, in a recent interview.

"Religious practices in Vietnam are very open and are thriving", stressed Chuck Searcy, Vice President of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).

FEB 2005 UPDATE ON RELIGIOUS ISSUES AND CENTRAL HIGHLAND

I. Religious freedom in Viet Nam in 2004

1. General policy: On June 18th, 2004, at the 19th session of the 11th National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the Vietnamese National Assembly adopted the Ordinance on Belief and Religion, which came into effect on Nov. 15, 2004. The Ordinance and its implementing instructions have been circulated. A Decree providing explanation and instructions for the implementation of Ordinance has been drafted and is now in the process of seeking approval from the Prime Minister.

A veteran's letter to Congressman Christopher Smith

14 July 2004

In re: H. RES. 427; H. RES. 613; (S. RES. 343)

Dear Representative Christopher Smith,

I apologize for sending this to your office because I am not a member of your district. However, my purpose is to comment on two matters which reflect your membership on the Veteran’s Affairs Committee and the International Affairs Committee. The decisions made by these committees are far reaching and have great influence outside your district’s boundaries.

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