>>Draft law on belief and religion unveiled
The Law on Beliefs and Religions would guarantee citizens’ right to freedom of religion as stipulated in the 2013 Constitution and also make the country follow the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, said members of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee while discussing the draft Law on Beliefs and Religions during the Committee’s 40th meeting which last from August 10-18.
Nguyen Duc Hien, head of the NA’s Committee for People’s Aspirations, said the drafting committee should review the reality of religious rights in
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| NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung at the 40th session of the NA Standing Committee__Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA |
Talking about the state management of beliefs and religions, Truong Thi Mai, head of the NA’s Committee for Social Affairs, proposed the drafting committee to add provisions on the rights and responsibilities of Vietnamese people and foreigners in Vietnam so that they could practice their religions under the state’s management.
NA deputies agreed on the need to make a list of prohibited acts in the draft law, citing this would create a legal basis for what individuals could and could not do, and give authorized agencies an idea of how to manage religious activities.
NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu said the prohibited acts should include abusing beliefs or religions to undermine national unity.
When discussing the draft Law on Access to Information, deputies agreed that there are increasing demands for information, especially that relating to the exercise and protection of people’s rights and benefits.
To make the law feasible, deputies suggested it was necessary to clarify who had the right to information and who had to provide it, and which kinds of information would be provided and which would be restricted or forbidden.-(VLLF)
