E/CN.4/1999/58/Add.2 page 22 87. Since 1993, Mr. Le Quang Lien, Chairman of the former Central Committee of the Hoa Hao Buddhist Congregation, has submitted to the authorities certain complaints regarding, in particular, the restoration of the Congregation and the denunciation of official works blaspheming the founder of the Hoa Hao religion. E. Protestant community 88. The following information was obtained from the authorities and from non-governmental sources, including the Reverend Paul Ai at a private meeting in Ho Chi Minh City. 1. Information from the authorities 89. The information obtained from the authorities about the Protestant community, and contained in chapter II on State policy in respect of religion, is still valid. 90. In reply to a question from the Special Rapporteur about allegations that the religious rights of Protestants, in particular those belonging to ethnic minorities, were not being respected, the Deputy Minister for Public Security said that, in the past, American allegations concerning the destruction of places of worship had been shown to be false; he confirmed that the current situation was one of respect for places of worship, including those of ethnic minorities. 2. Non-governmental information 91. While several non-governmental sources admit that there have been some gradual improvements in the religious sphere, to the benefit particularly of Protestants, or at least certain Protestant congregations, including the possibility of printing bibles and the building of places of worship, major difficulties still exist. 92. The authorities refuse legal recognition to Protestant congregations other than the Evangelical Church of Viet Nam (based in Hanoi and comprising some 20 small congregations), which is described as a religious organization under State control. In order to avoid being “infiltrated” by the authorities, the majority of congregations have resisted government pressure to establish a single organization for all Protestant congregations; such congregations are therefore either tolerated, i.e. given de facto recognition, or clandestine. 93. The majority of Protestant organizations conduct their religious activities without legal recognition, in places of worship or private homes, or even in the forest in the case of ethnic minorities in mountainous areas. These congregations are at the mercy of the goodwill of the authorities, who may either pursue a form of laissez-faire policy or react to activities that are classed as illegal. 94. The authorities may take any of the following actions in response to illegal activities: