Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The 2016 International ReligiousFreedom Annual Report of the US State Department still included someunobjective assessments and cited wrong information about Vietnam, according toForeign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.
She made the remark at the ministry’s regular pressconference in Hanoi on August 17 in response to a question regarding the USState Department’s release of the 2016 International Religious Freedom AnnualReport.
Hang clarified that: “The consistent policy ofthe State of Vietnam is to respect and ensure the freedom of belief andreligion, and following or not following any religions. This was enshrined inthe Constitution and law of Vietnam and is ensured and respected in reality.”
That has created a very diverse life of religionand belief in Vietnam, she said, adding that Vietnamese law bans any religiousand belief discrimination.
“The State of Vietnam has been implementing manyconcrete policies and measures to ensure that people fully benefit from theright to freedom of religion and belief, including the Law on Belief andReligion, which was approved by the National Assembly in November 2016 and willtake effect in January 2018.”
[US State Department must respect truth about VN’s religion situation]
“The 2016 International Religious Freedom AnnualReport of the US State Department had some adjustments to match the reality inVietnam. However, it was a regret as the report still gave some subjective assessmentsand cited incorrect information about Vietnam,” the spokeswoman stressed.
At the conference, Hang also informed the pressabout several external activities of the country in the time ahead.-VNA
VNA
