People in temporary custody or detention are now allowed to read scriptures and express their religious beliefs, according to a decree recently issued by the Government.

Buddhist followers at Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh province 

Decree 162/2017/ND-CP specifies enforcement of the Law on Belief and Religion regarding the right to use scriptures and show faith and religious belief of persons in temporary custody or detention, prisoners and those at correctional schools and compulsory educational and drug rehabilitation centres.

Accordingly, they are allowed to use legally published and printed scriptures to practice their faith and religion. They can also express their faith and religious belief through words or behaviour in line with legal regulations in temporary custody houses, temporary detention centres, prisons, correctional schools and compulsory educational and drug rehabilitation establishments.

The use of scriptures and the expression of faith and religious belief must not affect the right to freedom of belief and religion and the right to freedom of non-belief and religion of other people. They must also not run counter to legal regulations.

The Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs are responsible for instructing scripture management and the time and location for using scriptures and showing faith and religious belief, per the decree.

The decree also specifies articles pertaining to other issues in the Law on Belief and Religion.

The Law on Belief and Religion was approved by the National Assembly in November 2016 and took effect on January 1, 2018.-VNA