Religious groups in Vietnam now have to register financial information with local authorities and are liable to be shut down by government officials for unspecified ‘serious violations’ under new laws implemented to manage religion.
Decree 95, the new strand under the 2018 Law on Belief and Religion, sees state oversight of religious activities increase in Vietnam, with churches required to register more information with government authorities, such as financial records and how they receive and report donations.
The new laws have taken effect at the same time as the death of 80-year-old Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, seen as one of the country’s most powerful leaders in decades. Trong, who died in July, probably from old age and failing health, was the Communist Party’s General Secretary from 2011 until his death. He had recently been awarded the Gold Star, the highest honour given for contributions made to the Party and country, and was regarded as a ‘true believer’ in the party’s Socialist ideals.
While Trong worked extensively to root out corruption within the Party, his tenure saw human rights and freedom of speech restricted in Vietnam, as reflected by Decree 95’s restrictions on religion.
There are thought to be about 9.6 million Christians in Vietnam’s majority-Buddhist 100million population, and the country ranks 35th in Open Doors’ watchlist of countries in which it is hardest to be a Christian.
Andrew Dudgeon of Platform 67 said: ‘There’s no doubt greater government regulation will create headaches for Vietnam’s unregistered churches already concerned about restrictions on gospel ministry.
‘A quick look over the shoulder to China gives a clue as to where it might lead. At the same time, Christians in Vietnam, China, Laos, North Korea and others teach us to live for Jesus without fear. Sacrifice and suffering is normal Christianity for them. Christ is everything and their growing churches prove it.’
