Vietnam says US religious freedom report is wrong

Hanoi, Vietnam - Vietnam has protested a U.S. report that accused the government of abusing some of its citizens' religious freedom.

The U.S. State Department's annual assessment of religious freedom around the world released this week criticized Afghanistan and Pakistan, while also taking aim at Iran, China and North Korea.

The report said Vietnam has generally respected religious freedom but continues to harass some followers, particularly Christians.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi said in a statement late Thursday that the report acknowledges progress but contains erroneous information. He said Vietnam ensures full religious freedom for all.

Relations between the one-party communist state and some religious groups often flare over land seizures and the detention of religious leaders.