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

In the first six months of 2013, the VFF in partnership with its member organisations was active in the popularisation of State policies and laws on ethnic and religious issues.

It also pushed forward the emulation movement among ethnic and religious groups while guiding people to follow new-style living in efforts to shift the economic structure and reduce poverty.

The VFF and its members regularly grasped ethnic and religious people’s thought and aspirations in order to make proposals to the Party and State to timely address emerging issues relating to ethnic and religious work.

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

The results are thanks to the State’s care for ethnic and religious groups, notably Programme 135-phase III recently approved by the Government.

However, weaknesses in the work of dealing with pressing issues as well as complaints of religious units and individuals were raised during the 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 its member agencies will take part in more fact-finding tours to survey the socio-economic situation and take control of the implementation of State policies and laws on ethnic minorities.

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