User:Dragfyre/Sandbox/Decree 22

Implementing Decree 22, also issued in 2005, provides further guidance on the Ordinance on Religion and Belief. It delineates specific procedures by which an unrecognized religious organization may register its places of worship, its clerics, and its activities and thus operate openly. It provides procedures for these groups to apply for official recognition from the government to gain additional rights. The Decree specifies that a religious organization must have 20 years of "stable religious operation" in the country to be recognized by the government and states that past operation in the country can be counted toward this requirement. The Decree further defines specific time periods for the government to consider requests from religious organizations and requires officials to give an organization an explanation in writing for any rejected application.

Decree 22 also clarifies the procedures for religious organizations and individual congregations seeking official recognition. In principle, recognized religious denominations are allowed to open, operate, and refurbish places of worship, train religious leaders, and obtain permission for the publication of materials. To obtain official recognition, a denomination must receive national-level registration, which according to the legal framework involves several legal stages. First, the religious organization must apply for and receive registration in each local administrative area in which it operates. Registration requires a religious organization to file information with relevant authorities about its structure, leadership, and activities. Authorities then have 45 days to raise questions or concerns. National-level registrations have a 60-day review period. The CRA must issue a license before an organization is considered registered. After maintaining national registration for one year, the eligible religious group may apply for full legal recognition after hosting a national convention where it elects leaders. It also must receive government approval of its leadership, structure, national charter, and activities.

The Decree further specifies that appropriate authorities must provide a written response to requests for official recognition within 30, 45, 60, or 90 days, depending on the scope of the request. In the case of a refusal, a specific reason must be included in the written response, although this requirement also does not appear to be consistently followed. There is no specific mechanism for appeal in the Ordinance, nor are the reasons for denying a request restricted in any way.

(statedept)

Decree Implementing Beliefs And Religions Ordinance Promulgated: On March 1st, 2005, the Vietnamese Government promulgated Decree N0 22/2005/ND-CP, which guides the implementation some articles of the Beliefs and Religions Ordinance on March 1st, 2005. The Decree included five chapters, 14 sections, 38 articles. This Decree regulated the beliefs festival and religious celebration, religious coronation, sermon activities, and other religious activities of followers, dignitaries and religious organisations. It provides guidelines on registering religious and belief activities, organizing religious and belief events. The Decree re-affirms the State principle which says that “citizens have the right to freedom of belief and religion, follow or not to follow a religion. All religions are equal before the law.” Decree N0 22/2005/ND-CP provides for “the strict prohibition of forcing citizens to follow or renounce religions… All acts of violation shall be dealt with by the law”. In the Central Highlands, a number of Protestant congregations have been newly registered and land allocations granted for building churches. Decree N0 22/2005/ND-CP became effective from March 15th, 2005. http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/news/story.php?d=20050415165755