Vietnam rejects recommendation from USCIRF
Vietnam has rejected the US Commission on International Religious Freedom's (USCIRF) recommendation that Vietnam be put on a special list of nations which restrict religious freedom.
"In Vietnam, the right to religious and non-religious freedom of all citizens is clearly stated in the Constitution and laws," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Phan Thuy Thanh.
"This right has also been guaranteed in reality," she said while responding to a Reuters correspondent's query at a regular press briefing held on October 3.
The spokeswoman stressed "This is another ill-intentioned move full of prejudices by the USCIRF."
She also requested the US Department of State not to accept this recommendation, saying "Should it be accepted it would not be helpful to the process of constructive and frank dialogue aimed at promoting mutual understanding between the two peoples, and would exert a negative impact on the development of Vietnam-US ties."
