The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) held a conference in Hanoi on July 30to review ethnic and religious work in the first half of the year andset tasks for the latter half.

In the first sixmonths of 2013, the VFF in partnership with its member organisations wasactive in the popularisation of State policies and laws on ethnic andreligious issues.

It also pushed forward the emulationmovement among ethnic and religious groups while guiding people tofollow new-style living in efforts to shift the economic structure andreduce poverty.

The VFF and its members regularlygrasped ethnic and religious people’s thought and aspirations in orderto make proposals to the Party and State to timely address emergingissues relating to ethnic and religious work.

Estimates from the member bodies showed that since the beginning of theyear, the production and living standards of ethnic minorities andreligious groups have stabilised, along with political security, socialsafety and order have been maintained.

The results arethanks to the State’s care for ethnic and religious groups, notablyProgramme 135-phase III recently approved by the Government.

However, weaknesses in the work of dealing with pressing issues aswell as complaints of religious units and individuals were raised duringthe meeting.

Participants also recommended closer coordination among member organisations to handle these issues.

It was set out that in the second half of the year, the VFF and itsmember agencies will take part in more fact-finding tours to survey thesocio-economic situation and take control of the implementation of Statepolicies and laws on ethnic minorities.

Theorganisation will also keep an eye on the development of new sects andthe religious activities of foreigners living in the country, andcontinue its fight against religious-based human rights abuses.-VNA