The amendment of the Law on Belief and Religion aims to continue to fully institutionalize the Party's guidelines and policies, in accordance with the 2013 Constitution and meeting practical requirements in the new context.
According to Deputy Minister of Ethnic Minorities and Religion Nguyen Hai Trung, the Law on Belief and Religion in 2016, effective from January 1, 2018, has made an important contribution to ensuring the right to freedom of belief and religion.
After 8 years of implementation, the law has achieved many positive results. Religious and religious activities are gradually becoming regular; the rights of individuals and organizations in this field are concerned and guided to implement. Thereby, the right to freedom of belief and religion is better ensured, while enhancing publicity and transparency in state management.
However, the summary process shows some limitations such as the Law not clearly stipulating the principles and responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and individuals when carrying out religious and belief activities in cyberspace.
Administrative procedures in this field have not yet met the requirements of administrative reform, especially in the context of promoting the application of information technology, digital transformation and data interconnection.
Faced with practical requirements, the content of this legal amendment focuses on core issues. In which, ensuring the right to freedom of belief and religion of citizens; perfecting regulations on religious organizations and activities; clearly defining the responsibilities of relevant agencies and organizations. The Government proposes four major policy groups - managing religious activities in cyberspace; promoting decentralization and hierarchy; perfecting state management measures; promoting digital transformation in this field.
The draft law also reviews, cuts and simplifies administrative procedures. Accordingly, 47/113 procedures are proposed to be cut or abolished. Decentralization and delegation of power are also strengthened for local authorities, especially at the commune level, in order to improve management efficiency at the grassroots level.
From the perspective of the thẩm tra agency, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Society Trieu The Hung said that this agency basically agrees with the necessity of amending the law. The draft has institutionalized the Party's viewpoints and policies on religious work, promoting good cultural and moral values, and at the same time mobilizing resources for socio-economic development.
However, the thẩm tra agency proposed to continue reviewing the draft to avoid overlapping with relevant laws, ensuring compatibility with international treaties to which Vietnam is a member. Regarding religious activities in cyberspace, it is necessary to clarify the concept, stipulate the responsibilities of subjects, and avoid duplication with current regulations. Regarding decentralization and decentralization, the assignment of authority needs to be consistent with the actual capacity of local authorities, especially at the commune level.
The development and promulgation of the Law on Belief and Religion (amended) is identified as necessary to continue promoting socialist democracy, ensuring the people's right to mastery, including the right to freedom of belief and religion. At the same time, the new law will create conditions to diversify religious and belief activities, associated with administrative procedure reform, digital transformation, building e-government, towards digital government.
