Decision No. 06/2015/QĐ-TTg stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Governmental Religious Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Pursuant to …;

Regulations on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure

of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs

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Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions dated June 18, 2004;

Pursuant to Decree No. 36/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 18, 2012, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 58/2014/NĐ-CP dated June 16, 2014, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

At the request of the Minister of Home Affairs,

The Prime Minister issues the Decision stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 1. Position and Functions

1. The Governmental Religious Affairs Committee is an agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs, with the function of advising the Minister of Home Affairs to manage state affairs in the religious sector nationwide and to implement public services in the religious sector according to the provisions of the law.

2. The Governmental Religious Affairs Committee is equivalent to a General Department, having legal personality, a seal bearing the State Emblem, a separate account as prescribed by law, and its main office located in Hanoi City.

b) Draft five-year and annual socio-economic development plans for the province; major economic and social balances for the province; draft five-year and annual plans, programs, projects, measures to organize and implement tasks related to socio-economic development, finance-budget, planning-investment, and other tasks within the scope of state management of the Department of Finance as prescribed by law;

The Governmental Religious Affairs Committee performs tasks and powers as prescribed by laws on religion and the following specific tasks and powers:

1. Submit to the Minister of Home Affairs for submission to the Government and the Prime Minister for consideration and decision:

a) Draft laws, ordinances, draft resolutions of the National Assembly, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; draft decrees of the Government; draft decisions of the Prime Minister on religion;

b) Strategies, plans, national target programs, action programs, projects, and important initiatives on religion.

2. Submitting to the Minister of Home Affairs for consideration and decision:

a) Draft Circulars and other documents on religious work;

b) Long-term, five-year, and annual plans on religious work.

3. Implement legal regulatory documents, policies, strategies, plans, programs, projects, and initiatives after they have been issued or approved.

4. Issue guidance documents on religious work according to the provisions of the law.

5. Provide information, propaganda, and guidance on the implementation of religious policies and guidelines of the Party and the State; ensure citizens' freedom of belief and religion, including the right to practice or not to practice any religion as prescribed by law; ensure equality among religions before the law; combat any acts that infringe upon freedom of belief and religion or exploit belief and religion to act against the law and State policies.

6. Resolve issues concerning religion within its authority or submit them to higher authorities for resolution according to the provisions of the law. In necessary cases, the Director of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee reports and seeks direct instructions from the Prime Minister, while also reporting to the Minister of Home Affairs.

7. Review applications submitted to competent authorities for recognition of religious organizations according to the provisions of the law.

8. Coordinate with Ministries, sectors, central agencies of political-social organizations, and related organizations:

a) Provide information, propaganda, and mobilize the masses to implement policies, laws, and guidelines of the Party and the State on belief and religion;

b) Participate in managing cultural-historical heritage sites and scenic spots related to religion.

9. Uniformly manage the publication of religious books; publications, teaching materials, and purely religious cultural products of religious organizations permitted to operate according to the classification of the Minister of Home Affairs.

10. Award rewards within its authority and propose to competent authorities to award rewards and apply preferential policies for religious organizations and individuals participating in religious activities.

11. Implement international cooperation in the religious sector; guide and assist religious organizations, clergy, believers, and monks to carry out foreign relations according to the provisions of the law; serve as the point of contact with religious organizations.

12. Conduct scientific research in the religious sector; summarize practical experiences, provide scientific evidence for the formulation and implementation of policies and guidelines of the Party and the State on religion.

13. Guide and inspect the implementation of operational mechanisms of service organizations in the religious sector according to the provisions of the law.

14. Train and enhance professional knowledge and skills in religious work for cadres and civil servants working in religious affairs at central and local agencies.

15. Implement administrative reform according to the goals and content of the State administrative reform program approved by competent authorities.

16. Inspect, investigate complaints and denunciations, prevent corruption, promote thrift, and combat waste and malpractice according to the provisions of the law.

17. Manage organizational structures and staffing; implement salary systems and preferential policies, training, enhancement, rewards, and disciplinary measures for cadres, civil servants, and officials under its management according to the provisions of the law and the classification of the Minister of Home Affairs.

18. Manage finances and assets assigned and organize the implementation of allocated budgets in accordance with the provisions of the law;

19. Perform other tasks and powers assigned by the Minister of Home Affairs and as prescribed by the law.

Article 3. Organizational Structure

1. Catholic Department.

2. Buddhist Department.

3. Protestant Department.

4. Cao Dai Department.

5. Other Religions Department.

6. International Relations Department.

7. Legal Affairs and Inspection Division.

8. Department of Organization and Cadre Management.

9. Office.

10. Southern Religious Work Department.

11. Institute for Religious Policy Research.

12. Religious Work Magazine.

13. Information Center.

14. Religious Work Professional Training School.

15. Religious Publishing House.

In this Article, units specified from Clause 1 to Clause 10 are administrative units assisting the Director in performing state management tasks; units specified from Clause 11 to Clause 15 are service units serving the state management functions of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee.

Article 4. Leadership of the Committee

1. The Governmental Religious Affairs Committee has a Director and no more than three Deputy Directors.

2. The Minister of Home Affairs assigns a Deputy Minister of Home Affairs to concurrently serve as the Director of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee, who is responsible to the Minister and the law for all activities of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee.

3. The Minister of Home Affairs appoints and dismisses Deputy Directors based on the proposal of the Director of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee. Deputy Directors are responsible to the Director and the law for the areas of work assigned to them.

The Director of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee issues the Working Regulations of the Committee; specifies the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of subordinate agencies and units; appoints and dismisses civil servants and officials holding leadership and management positions within the Committee according to the provisions of the law and the classification of the Minister of Home Affairs.

4. The staffing of the Governmental Religious Affairs Committee is decided by the Minister of Home Affairs within the total staffing of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 5. Effectiveness and Responsibility for Implementation

1. This Decision takes effect from April 1, 2015.

2. This Decision replaces Decision No. 134/2009/QĐ-TTg dated November 3, 2009, of the Government Chairman on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the State Committee for Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

3. The Minister of Home Affairs, the Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairmen of provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government, and the Head of the State Committee for Religious Affairs shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.