Decision No. 134/2009/QD-TTg on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Governmental Religious Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs

Pursuant to …;

Regulations on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Government Religious Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs

PRIME MINISTER

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

Based on the Ordinance on Beliefs and Religions dated June 18, 2004 of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly;

Based on the Decree No. 178/2007/NĐ-CP dated December 3, 2007 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Based on the Decree No. 48/2008/NĐ-CP dated April 17, 2008 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Home Affairs,

DECISION:

Article 1. Position and Functions

1. The Government Religious 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 field nationwide and implementing public services in the religious field according to the provisions of the law.

2. The Government Religious 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 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. Providing information, propaganda, guidance, and inspection of the implementation of religious policies and guidelines of the Party and the State; ensuring citizens' freedom of belief and religion, whether they follow a religion or not, as well as their right to religious activities according to the law; ensuring equality among religions before the law; preventing all acts that infringe upon freedom of belief and religion or exploit beliefs and religions to violate laws and State policies.

6. Resolving specific issues related to religion within its authority or referring them to competent authorities for resolution according to the provisions of the law.

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) Participating in managing cultural historical sites and scenic spots related to religion.

9. Uniformly managing 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. Implementing international cooperation in the religious field; guiding and assisting religious organizations, clergy, believers, and religious practitioners to carry out foreign relations according to the provisions of the law; serving 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. Managing the organizational structure and staffing; implementing salary systems and other incentive policies, training, commendation, and disciplinary measures for officials, civil servants, and employees under the management of the Committee 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 Religious Affairs Division.

6. Department of International Cooperation.

7. Legal Affairs and Inspection Division.

8. Department of Organization and Cadre Management.

9. Office.

10. Institute for Religious Policy Research.

11. Religious Work Magazine.

12. Information Center.

13. Religious Work Vocational School.

14. Religious Publishing House.

In this Article, units from Clause 1 to Clause 9 are administrative units assisting the Director in performing state management tasks; units from Clause 10 to Clause 14 are service units supporting the state management functions of the Government Religious Committee.

The establishment, merger, and dissolution of other public service units under the Government Religious Committee shall be decided by the Minister of Home Affairs.

The staffing of the Government Religious Committee shall be decided by the Minister of Home Affairs within the total staffing of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 4. Leadership of the Board

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

2. The Director of the Government Religious Committee is a Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, responsible to the Minister of Home Affairs and the law for all activities of the Government Religious Committee.

The Director of the Government Religious Committee promulgates the working regulations of the Committee; specifies the detailed functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of subordinate units and organizations; appoints and relieves officials and civil servants holding leadership positions within the Committee according to the provisions of the law and the classification of the Minister of Home Affairs.

3. Deputy Directors are appointed and relieved by the Minister of Home Affairs at the proposal of the Director; they are responsible to the Director and the law for the areas of work assigned to them.

Article 5. Effectiveness and Responsibility for Implementation

1. This Decision takes effect from December 22, 2009.

2. The Minister of Home Affairs, Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairmen of provincial and municipal People's Committees directly under the Central Government, and the Director of the Government Religious Committee are responsible for implementing this Decision./.