Sep 07

WHEN:

Sep 7th 10:30am

 

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing

Vietnam: Challenges and Opportunities for Religious Freedom


Thursday, September 7, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM ET
Virtual

Hearing Transcript

Hearing Summary

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) hosted a virtual hearing focusing on religious freedom in Vietnam and how the U.S. government can work with the Vietnamese government to address violations.

Despite improvements in both the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship and religious freedom conditions in Vietnam over the past decade, USCIRF has reported an increase in incidences of forced renunciation of faith and the intimidation, detention, and imprisonment of faith activists and leaders. In addition, the haphazard implementation of the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion, particularly in local areas and for minority faith communities, hinders the full realization of religious freedom. During USCIRF’s visit to the country in May, Vietnamese officials indicated the government is in the process of updating its 2018 Law as well as drafting two implementing decrees for its execution.

In its 2023 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended designation of Vietnam as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for engaging in egregious, ongoing, and systematic violations of religious freedom. In November 2022, the U.S. Department of State placed Vietnam on its Special Watch List, the first religious freedom designation of any kind for Vietnam since 2005 when it was designated a CPC.

Witnesses discussed violations of religious freedom in Vietnam, including first-hand experience from those who escaped persecution because of their religion or belief, and explore policy options for the U.S. government to meaningfully engage with the Vietnamese government to encourage greater religious freedom for its people.


Opening Remarks

Panel

  • Quỳnh-Vi Trần, Editor and Journalist, The Vietnamese magazine
  • Dr. Thang Nguyen, CEO and President, Boat People SOS (BPSOS)
  • Venerable Truong, Thach Dhammo, Buddhist Monk
  • Dr. Quoc-Hung (David) Tran, Director of Communications for the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam and heads its Office of External Affairs

Witness Biographies

This hearing is open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the public, and the media. Members of the media should register online and can email [email protected] for any questions or to schedule an interview. The video recording of the hearing will be posted on the Commission website. For any additional questions, please email Danielle Ashbahian at [email protected] or (202) 702-2778.