BWA Delegation Makes Historic Human Rights Visit to Vietnam
A Baptist World Alliance delegation led by President David Coffey visited Vietnam in mid-May to address various human rights concerns and, in particular, religious freedom across the region.
Holding meetings with government officials, as well as Baptist leaders from Vietnam, the delegation sought to help bring together the five different Baptist groups in the country.
During meetings with government officials, the country’s authorities looked to assure the delegation that since the 2004 Ordinance on Religion and Belief and the 2005 Prime Minister’s Directive on Protestantism, there has been a great change taking place.
However, they acknowledged that there have been difficulties in implementing various policies regarding religious freedom that are contained within the constitution.
BWA President Coffey said, “We recognize in the recent laws on religious liberty that there is greater respect for Protestant groups like Baptists. What we asked for was that they would go beyond respect to granting freedom of worship without any restrictions.”
Furthermore, according to a BWA report, Coffey stated, “The delegation particularly pressed for a normalization of religious freedom which would include the right to open church buildings, Bible schools, and compassionate ministries.”
Representatives from the USA, UK and the European Union were also present from the diplomatic community, which provided the opportunity for problems and concerns surrounding religious liberty to be shared with the wider audience.
The delegation’s visit also led them to meetings with other leading Baptists in the country.
More than 500 Baptist leaders gathered for a BWA sponsored event, joined by the Catholic Cardinal of Vietnam. The historical gathering marked the largest public gathering of Baptists since 1975.
BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz stated: “I am very grateful for David Coffey’s leadership of this delegation and North American Baptist Fellowship’s Alan Stanford’s leadership in helping to organize this visit and bringing this request to the BWA. I am pleased that former President Jimmy Carter was helpful in writing the government of Vietnam requesting acceptance of our delegation.”
He continued, “We pray for the unity of our brothers and sisters in Vietnam and look forward to that day when the government of Vietnam officially recognizes Baptists and allows them to be registered. This visit is another example of how the BWA promotes religious freedom and human rights worldwide!”
