Uploaded April 2014 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
In the 1970s, following the emergence of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under the Communist Party of Vietnam, the government disbanded the leadership of all independent-minded religious organizations; and the country's Communist cadres quickly appointed new leaders of these organizations. Further, as stipulated by its 2004 Ordinance on Religion and Belief, Vietnam's government requires all religious organizations to be registered and their activities pre-approved. Organizations that refuse to register or whose registration applications have been denied risk having their activities deemed illegal and expose their leaders and followers to arrest and harassment. More recently, the 2013 Government Decree 92/2012/ND-CP banned all religious, cultural and traditional activities -- even when conducted in private homes -- unless they are registered, pre-approved, or officiated by a government entity.
In addition, the government's policies of land appropriation, population displacement and prohibition of indigenous languages in schools have altered the identities of its indigenous peoples and weakened their cultural heritage. Today, there is virtually no authentic representation of indigenous peoples in the government of Vietnam.
This hearing will focus on Vietnam's persecution and repression of faith and indigenous communities, and also examine the U.S. government's response to these human rights abuses. Notably, for the first time, the Commission hearing will feature prominent activists testifying directly from Vietnam. These brave individuals will provide first-hand accounts of the abuses suffered by their respective communities.
Panel I:
• Mr. Eric P. Schwartz, Commissioner, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Panel II:
• Father Phan Van Loi, Editor-in-Chief of "Freedom of Speech" and Co-Founder of the Association of Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience
• Sub-dignitary Nguyen Bach Phung, Clergy member of an independent Cao Dai Sect
• Attorney Yunie Hong, Director of Policy Advocacy, Hmong National Development
• Mr. Rong Nay, Executive Director, Montagnard Human Rights Organization
In the 1970s, following the emergence of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam under the Communist Party of Vietnam, the government disbanded the leadership of all independent-minded religious organizations; and the country's Communist cadres quickly appointed new leaders of these organizations. Further, as stipulated by its 2004 Ordinance on Religion and Belief, Vietnam's government requires all religious organizations to be registered and their activities pre-approved. Organizations that refuse to register or whose registration applications have been denied risk having their activities deemed illegal and expose their leaders and followers to arrest and harassment. More recently, the 2013 Government Decree 92/2012/ND-CP banned all religious, cultural and traditional activities -- even when conducted in private homes -- unless they are registered, pre-approved, or officiated by a government entity.
In addition, the government's policies of land appropriation, population displacement and prohibition of indigenous languages in schools have altered the identities of its indigenous peoples and weakened their cultural heritage. Today, there is virtually no authentic representation of indigenous peoples in the government of Vietnam.
This hearing will focus on Vietnam's persecution and repression of faith and indigenous communities, and also examine the U.S. government's response to these human rights abuses. Notably, for the first time, the Commission hearing will feature prominent activists testifying directly from Vietnam. These brave individuals will provide first-hand accounts of the abuses suffered by their respective communities.
Panel I:
• Mr. Eric P. Schwartz, Commissioner, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
Panel II:
• Father Phan Van Loi, Editor-in-Chief of "Freedom of Speech" and Co-Founder of the Association of Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience
• Sub-dignitary Nguyen Bach Phung, Clergy member of an independent Cao Dai Sect
• Attorney Yunie Hong, Director of Policy Advocacy, Hmong National Development
• Mr. Rong Nay, Executive Director, Montagnard Human Rights Organization
