Commission against loans to Vietnam

The United States should oppose international loans to Vietnam because its government violates religious freedom, says a federal commission.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged Secretary of State Colin Powell to withhold U.S. support for International Monetary Fund and World Bank loans until Vietnam agrees to make improvements in religious freedom.

“Despite the increase in religious practice among the Vietnamese people in the last 10 years, the Vietnamese government suppresses organized religious activities forcefully and monitors and controls religious communities,” wrote Commission Chairman Elliot Abrams.

Abrams said: “The government prohibits religious activity by those not affiliated with one of the six officially recognized religious organizations. Individuals have been detained, fined, imprisoned, and kept under close surveillance by security forces for engaging in ‘illegal’ religious activities.

“In addition, the government uses the recognition process to monitor and control officially sanctioned religious groups- restricting the procurement and distribution of religious literature, controlling religious training, and interfering with the selection of religious leaders.”

The commission also urged Powell to initiate or support a resolution to censure Vietnam at the annual meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.  (ABP)