ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT BY MR. LE DZUNG, THE SPOKESMAN
OF VIETNAM’S MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON 13th MAY 2004

AP: Please advise Vietnam’s reaction to the approval of Resolution 378 by the U.S House of Representatives appealing for the release of Nguyen Van Ly.

Answer:

We reject this Resolution, considering this an act of interference into internal affairs of Vietnam.

In Vietnam, freedom of beliefs and religious freedom are enshrined in the Constitution and respected in practice. The state of Vietnam pays attention to and creates all favorable conditions for the growth of all religions. Vietnamese laws strictly prohibit any discrimination against the citizen on grounds of religion or beliefs.

As in other countries, anyone who violates the law will be dealt with in accordance with the law in Vietnam, no one is arrested or detained on grounds of religion.