US’ religious freedom report makes biased assessment of Vietnam

Hanoi, June 11 (VNA) – The US Department of State’s 2017 International Religious Freedom Report continued to give biased assessment and cited untrue information on Vietnam, stated Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang. Responding to questions from reporters on the US’s report, the official affirmed that: “Vietnam pursuits the consistent policy on respecting and ensuring the right to freedom of religion and belief of all citizens. This has been written down in the country’s 2013 Constitution and legal system, and in fact, has been respected and being enforced.” The diplomat said Vietnam has spared no effort in completing its legal system and policy on religion and belief. She highlighted that the country has promulgated the Law on Belief and Religion and issued decrees guiding the enforcement of the law. At the same time, citizens’ practices of religion and belief have been ensured, reflected through thousands of religious festivals and activities every year. Vietnam acknowledges that the US Department of State’s report has mentioned the country’s certain progress in ensuring and facilitating religious and belief practices, but regrettably, the report continued to make partial assessment and cited incorrect information on Vietnam, Hang stated./.