Rep. Smith
Introduces Bill to Promote Human Rights Reforms in Vietnam
Washington,
Apr 7, 2011
Ongoing human
rights abuses at the hands of the Vietnamese Government including the
mistreatment and imprisonment of democracy advocates, peoples of faith and labor
rights activists, are the targets of a bill introduced Thursday by U.S. Rep.
Chris Smith (NJ-04).
“The
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2011,” H.R. 1410, was introduced April 7 to
promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam by setting restrictions on U.S. aid
while allowing humanitarian assistance to continue.
“The human rights situation in Vietnam has gotten worse over the past few
years even as Hanoi seeks better relations with the United States,” said
Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The
government has not been afraid to oppress its own citizens who only seek
basic rights. Victims have been jailed and harassed just for practicing their
faith and standing up for what they believe in.”
H.R. 1410 prohibits U.S. non-humanitarian assistance to the Government of
Vietnam over current levels unless increased U.S. dollars for programs including
economic, environmental and military initiatives are commensurate with U.S.
funding for human rights and democracy programs in Vietnam. It also prohibits
non-humanitarian aid unless the President certifies to Congress that Vietnam has
dramatically improved its human rights record, specifically including the
release of all political and religious prisoners, and protects the right to
freedom of assembly, religious expression and association. The bill seeks
substantial progress towards repealing or revising laws that criminalize
democracy related activities.
The legislation also grants the President the ability to waive the
prohibition, if such a waiver would promote the purpose of the act or is in the
national interest of the United States. It authorizes the President to provide
assistance to promote internationally recognized human rights in Vietnam, to
promote educational and cultural exchange programs with Vietnam, and expresses
U.S. policy in overcoming Hanoi’s jamming of Radio Free Asia. The bill also
requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress on the progress
of human rights in Vietnam.
“The Government of Vietnam’s abuse of its own people cannot be ignored by
the United States,” Smith said. “If Hanoi wants to improve its tattered
international reputation and increase trade and economic opportunities for its
people—especially through U.S. relations—it needs to dramatically improve its
abysmal human rights record against its own citizens. The government should
reverse course and allow freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom
of political discourse.”