Ho Chi Minh City, July 17 (VNA) – The National Assembly Committee for Culture, Education, Youth, Adolescents and Children held a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on July 17 to gather opinions from experts and religious dignitaries on a draft Law on Belief and Religion.
A report reviewing 10 years of implementing the Ordinance on Belief and Religion delivered at the event pointed to many shortcomings in the current regulations amid the development of religious and belief activities, as well as the need for legal system renovation.
The majority of participants agreed that it is necessary to issue a Law on Belief and Religion to replace the ordinance which reflects the responsibility of the State in observing the rights to belief and religious freedom as stated in the 2013 Constitution.
According to Most Venerable Thich Thien Thong, Deputy Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the institutionalisation of belief and religious policies will make the policies more effective, providing an efficient legal tool for religious practice in line with the law.
Meanwhile, Ly Du So, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Representative Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Community, asserted that the draft law is a big step forwards from the current ordinance, as it is more open and suitable to international regulations and creates favourable conditions for religious organisations to operate in conformity with relevant laws.
Assessing the draft law, Professor Dr Tran Ngoc Duong, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Office, said the document reflects a new mindset on the rights to beliefs and religious freedom while expanding beneficiaries and encouraging and supporting religious activities for the interest of the community and the nation.
As scheduled, the draft law will be debated for the first time at the 10th session of the 13th National Assembly.
A report reviewing 10 years of implementing the Ordinance on Belief and Religion delivered at the event pointed to many shortcomings in the current regulations amid the development of religious and belief activities, as well as the need for legal system renovation.
The majority of participants agreed that it is necessary to issue a Law on Belief and Religion to replace the ordinance which reflects the responsibility of the State in observing the rights to belief and religious freedom as stated in the 2013 Constitution.
According to Most Venerable Thich Thien Thong, Deputy Secretary of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, the institutionalisation of belief and religious policies will make the policies more effective, providing an efficient legal tool for religious practice in line with the law.
Meanwhile, Ly Du So, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Representative Board of the Ho Chi Minh City Muslim Community, asserted that the draft law is a big step forwards from the current ordinance, as it is more open and suitable to international regulations and creates favourable conditions for religious organisations to operate in conformity with relevant laws.
Assessing the draft law, Professor Dr Tran Ngoc Duong, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Office, said the document reflects a new mindset on the rights to beliefs and religious freedom while expanding beneficiaries and encouraging and supporting religious activities for the interest of the community and the nation.
As scheduled, the draft law will be debated for the first time at the 10th session of the 13th National Assembly.
VNA/VNP
