Vietnam Human Rights Act
This bill urges the Department of State to prompt Vietnam to: (1) repeal laws and administrative decrees restricting freedom of expression (including the Internet), association, and peaceful assembly; and (2) release political and religious prisoners.
The bill states that: (1) it is U.S. policy to prioritize religious freedom in bilateral relations with Vietnam, (2) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom, and (3) Vietnamese officials guilty of gross violations of human rights should be investigated by the United States and sanctioned if warranted.
The State Department may establish programs to: (1) monitor and halt bride and sex trafficking of girls and women in Vietnam and other Asian countries, including China; and (2) address Vietnam's growing sex-ratio disparity.
The President may provide assistance to ethnic minority groups in Vietnam affected by severe human rights violations.
The bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) military assistance to Vietnam should be conditioned upon human rights progress, and (2) trade and foreign assistance benefits will be contingent upon whether Vietnam has illegally expropriated properties of U.S. citizens.
[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5621 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5621
To advance United States national interests by prioritizing the
protection of internationally-recognized human rights and development
of the rule of law in relations between the United States and Vietnam,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 25, 2018
Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself, Mrs. Comstock, Mr. Sherman, Ms.
Ros-Lehtinen, Ms. Lofgren, and Mr. Lowenthal) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To advance United States national interests by prioritizing the
protection of internationally-recognized human rights and development
of the rule of law in relations between the United States and Vietnam,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Vietnam Human
Rights Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Finding and statement of policy.
Sec. 3. Actions to encourage repeal of certain laws and administrative
decrees and release of political and
religious prisoners in Vietnam.
Sec. 4. International religious freedom.
Sec. 5. Internet freedom.
Sec. 6. Annual country reports on human rights practices.
Sec. 7. United States assistance to support counting of women and girls
in Vietnam.
Sec. 8. Illegal expropriation of properties of United States citizens
by the Government of Vietnam.
Sec. 9. Vietnam Ethnic Minority Development Fund.
Sec. 10. United States public diplomacy.
Sec. 11. Sense of Congress on sales of lethal military equipment or
services to the Government of Vietnam.
Sec. 12. Annual reports on United States-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue
meetings.
SEC. 2. FINDING AND STATEMENT OF POLICY.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Support for human rights, democratic institutions, and
the rule of law are important tenets of United States foreign
policy and critical to the securing of United States national
interests.
(2) A government's treatment of its own people often
indicates how it will behave toward its neighbors and whether
it will uphold international or bilateral commitments.
(3) Advances globally in good governance, religious
freedom, an independent judiciary, a strong civil society,
constraints on corruption, independent news media, and internet
freedom are crucial elements in securing the peace, prosperity,
and security of the American people.
(4) Free nations are more prosperous, more stable, and more
reliable as trade and security partners. Even when the United
States has economic and security interests with governments
that exhibit a pattern of gross violations of internationally-
recognized human rights, these violations will inhibit the
development of a productive and sustainable partnerships.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States
to--
(1) support a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam
that promotes and protects human rights, embraces fully the
rule of law, and allows an open space for civil society, media,
and independent religious institutions and labor unions;
(2) strengthen the bilateral relationship with Vietnam
while recognizing that continued progress and strategic
partnerships will depend on the Government of Vietnam's
commitment to abide by its international commitments, adhere to
universal standards, and protect the fundamental human rights
of the Vietnamese people;
(3) hold an annual results-based dialogue focused on human
rights issues with senior officials of the Government of
Vietnam, informed by prior consultation with the Vietnamese-
American community, human rights groups, and other experts and
nongovernmental organizations about issues of concern;
(4) embed human rights concerns across the full spectrum of
official interactions between the Governments of the United
States and Vietnam, including in all aspects of the United
States-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, recognizing the
relevance of human rights improvements in Vietnam for United
States national interests and the relevance of a ``whole of
government'' approach to human rights promotion that views
concrete improvements as key parts of an ongoing discussions on
trade, security, humanitarian cooperation, and economic
development;
(5) assess Vietnam's progress toward respecting the basic
rights of workers, as described in the report required by
section 702 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal
Year 2003 (Public Law 107-228; 22 U.S.C. 2151n note) and in
light of the commitments specified in the United States-Vietnam
Plan for Enhancement of Trade and Labor Relations,
notwithstanding the fact that the Trans Pacific Partnership did
not go into effect;
(6) evaluate future trade negotiations with the Government
of Vietnam in accordance with the criteria set forth for
country eligibility under subsections (b)(2) and (c) of section
502 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2462), relating to the
Generalized System of Preferences, and in accordance with the
provisions of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and
Accountability Act of 2015 (title I of Public Law 114-26; 19
U.S.C. 4201 et seq.);
(7) assess whether there are any foreign persons working
directly or indirectly for the Government of Vietnam who, based
on credible evidence--
(A) are responsible for extrajudicial killings,
torture, enforced disappearances, or prolonged
detention without trial against individuals in Vietnam
who seek--
(i) to expose illegal activity carried out
by government officials; or
(ii) to obtain, exercise, defend, or
promote internationally-recognized human rights
and freedoms, such as the freedoms of religion,
expression, association, and assembly, and the
rights to a fair trial and democratic
elections;
(B) acted as agents of or on behalf of a foreign
person in a matter relating to an activity described in
subparagraph (A);
(C) are government officials, or senior associates
of any such official, who are responsible for, or
complicit in, ordering, controlling, or otherwise
directing, acts of significant corruption, including
the expropriation of private or public assets for
personal gain, corruption related to government
contracts or the extraction of natural resources,
bribery, or the facilitation or transfer of the
proceeds of corruption to foreign jurisdictions; and
(D) have materially assisted, sponsored, or
provided financial, material, or technological support
for, or goods or services in support of, an activity
described in subparagraph (C); and
(8) impose sanctions with respect to individuals assessed
to have engaged in or be complicit in the activities described
in paragraph (7) under section 1263 of the Global Magnitsky
Human Rights Accountability Act (subtitle F of title XII of
Public Law 114-328; 22 U.S.C. 2656 note).
SEC. 3. ACTIONS TO ENCOURAGE REPEAL OF CERTAIN LAWS AND ADMINISTRATIVE
DECREES AND RELEASE OF POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS PRISONERS
IN VIETNAM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Since January 2017 at least 35 human rights activists
and bloggers have been arrested in Vietnam. Nineteen of these
individuals have already been convicted and sentenced to jail
terms and the other 16 individuals have been formally charged
and placed in pre-trial detention.
(2) These arrests bring the number of Vietnamese currently
detained or imprisoned for political or religious reasons to
171 individuals. These individuals have been sentenced to an
estimated 1,000 years of imprisonment to be followed by 204
years under house arrest. These individuals include human
rights defenders, bloggers, lawyers, religious leaders, trade
unionists, land rights activists, political dissidents,
environmental campaigners, and others arrested for exercising
their internationally-protected rights, such as the right to
freedom of expression, to promote and protect the rights of
others.
(3) There are also a significant number of religious
prisoners affiliated with independent religious communities,
including some who have actively engaged in the promotion and
protection of freedom of religion and others who have been
detained simply for professing or practicing their faith
outside government approved limits.
(4) The charges most commonly used against political and
religious prisoners include charges under--
(A) Article 79 (relating to carrying out activities
aimed at overthrowing the people's administration);
(B) Article 87 (relating to undermining national
unity policy);
(C) Article 88 (relating to conducting propaganda
against the Government of Vietnam);
(D) Article 89 (relating to disrupting security);
(E) Article 245 (relating to causing public
disorder);
(F) Article 247 (relating to performing
superstitious practices);
(G) Article 257 (relating to resisting persons in
the performance of their official duties); and
(H) Article 258 (relating to abusing democratic
freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state).
(5) In 2013, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decree 72
to further restrict internet freedom in Vietnam.
(b) Repeal of Certain Laws and Administrative Decrees.--The
Secretary of State, in discussions with the Government of Vietnam,
should--
(1) urge the Government of Vietnam to repeal laws and
administrative decrees restricting freedom of expression,
association, and peaceful assembly in Vietnam, including laws
relating to ``propaganda against the state'' and ``taking
advantage of democratic freedoms to injure the national
unity''; and
(2) urge the Government of Vietnam--
(A) to stop arresting prodemocracy bloggers and
other individuals who use the internet to criticize the
government; and
(B) to release those prodemocracy bloggers who are
imprisoned.
(c) Release of Political and Religious Prisoners.--The Secretary of
State, in discussions with the Government of Vietnam, should seek, as a
critical condition of stronger United States-Vietnam relations, the
immediate and unconditional release all political and religious
prisoners, including Nguyen Van Dai, Dao Quang Thuc, Tran Thi Xuan,
Nguyen Van Tuc, Nguyen Bac Truyen, Pham Van Troi, Pastor Nguyen Trung
Ton, Truong Minh Duc, Nguyen Trung Truc, and the Most Venerable Thich
Quang Do.
(d) Statement of Policy.--Officials of the Government of Vietnam
who are responsible for or complicit in torture, extrajudicial
killings, the arbitrary detention of political and religious prisoners,
or other gross violations of internationally-recognized human rights
should be investigated by the United States and, as warranted,
sanctions should be imposed consistent with section 1263 of the Global
Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (subtitle F of title XII of
Public Law 114-328; 22 U.S.C. 2656 note).
SEC. 4. INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The promotion and protection of the universally
recognized right to the freedom of religion is a priority of
United States foreign policy as stated in section 402 of the
International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442)
and the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and
Accountability Act of 2015 (title I of Public Law 114-26; 19
U.S.C. 4201 et seq.) which requires the Administration to take
religious freedom into account when negotiating trade
agreements.
(2) Countries that protect religious freedom are more
prosperous, stable, peaceful and democratic. Thus, the severe
restrictions faced by religious groups in Vietnam, such as
members of the United Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV),
Catholics, and independent Hao Hoa Buddhists, Cao Dai, and
Protestants groups, are detrimental to the interests of both
the United States and Vietnam.
(3) Since 2016, the Government of Vietnam has reportedly
stepped up its efforts to force Montagnard and Hmong Christians
to renounce their faith, expropriate lands and other real
properties belonging to independent religious communities,
destroy Hoa Hao Buddhist and Cao Dai houses of worship, and
arrest and detain religious leaders. Religious leaders and
advocates of religious freedom remain in prison.
(b) Statement of Policy.--Since the protection of religious freedom
is vital to peace, stability, and prosperity and countries with the
highest levels of restrictions on religious freedom are often those
countries seeking to undermine United States national interests, it is
the policy of the United States to prioritize religious freedom in
bilateral relations, including with the Government of Vietnam, by fully
implementing the provisions of the Frank R. Wolf International
Religious Freedom Act (Public Law 114-281) and to strategically employ
sanctions and other tools under the International Religious Freedom Act
of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.).
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular
concern for religious freedom under section 402(b) of the
International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6442(b))
because there are a significant number of individuals
imprisoned for their religious activity or advocacy for
religious freedom and for ``systematic, egregious, and
ongoing'' violations of religious freedom;
(2) the President, in making the annual designations under
section 402(b) of such Act, should take into account the annual
report of the United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom under section 203 of such Act and the
Commission's assessment that the designation of Vietnam as a
country of particular concern for religious freedom from 2004
to 2006 led to tangible improvements in religious freedom
conditions while trade and security cooperation increased; and
(3) since the Government of Vietnam tightly controls
religious institutions and then persecutes those who establish
or operate independent religious institutions and genuinely
nongovernmental organizations, the Secretary of State should--
(A) use all available diplomatic, development,
economic assistance, and political tools to ensure that
independent religious and civil society organizations
can operate freely and without restriction in Vietnam;
and
(B) raise these issues in all appropriate
statements, dialogues, reports, and negotiations
between the United States and Vietnam.
SEC. 5. INTERNET FREEDOM.
(a) Finding.--Congress finds that Vietnam continues to have one of
the world's most restrictive internet environments, with pervasive
filtering of content and the frequent arrests of bloggers and others
whose only offense is to advocate online for positions different than
those held by the government.
(b) Statement of Policy.--
(1) Finding.--Congress finds that a free and open internet
and the free flow of news and information--
(A) are fundamental components of United States
foreign policy because they foster economic growth,
protect individual liberties, and advance national
security; and
(B) are critical to the advancement of both United
States economic interests and internationally-
recognized human rights globally.
(2) Statement of policy.--It is the policy of the United
States--
(A) to pursue an open and free internet in Vietnam;
and
(B) to engage all appropriate instruments of United
States influence to promote the free flow of news and
information in Vietnam, without interference or
discrimination through the internet and other
electronic media.
(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the United States should pursue trade policies with
Vietnam that expand the information economy in Vietnam by--
(A) ensuring the free flow of information and
across the global network;
(B) promoting stronger international transparency
rules; and
(C) ensuring fair and equal treatment of online
services regardless of country of origin; and
(2) the Office of Internet Freedom within the Broadcasting
Board of Governors and the Internet Freedom and Business and
Human Rights Section within the Bureau of Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor of the Department of State should
prioritize--
(A) the distribution of anti-censorship
circumvention tools for computers and smart phones in
Vietnam; and
(B) projects to ensure the safety and privacy of
bloggers and journalists in Vietnam.
SEC. 6. ANNUAL COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.
(a) Report Relating to Economic Assistance.--Section 116 of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151n) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(h)(1) The report required by subsection (d) shall include an
assessment of freedom of expression with respect to electronic
information in each foreign country. Such assessment shall consist of
the following:
``(A) An assessment of the extent to which government
authorities in each country inappropriately attempt to filter,
censor, or otherwise block or remove nonviolent expression of
political or religious opinion or belief via the internet,
including electronic mail, as well as a description of the
means by which such authorities attempt to block or remove such
expression.
``(B) An assessment of the extent to which government
authorities in each country have persecuted or otherwise
punished an individual or group for the nonviolent expression
of political, religious, or ideological opinion or belief via
the internet, including electronic mail.
``(C) An assessment of the extent to which government
authorities in each country have sought to inappropriately
collect, request, obtain, or disclose personally identifiable
information of a person in connection with such person's
nonviolent expression of political, religious, or ideological
opinion or belief, including expression that would be protected
by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
``(D) An assessment of the extent to which wire
communications and electronic communications are monitored
without regard to the principles of privacy, human rights,
democracy, and rule of law.
``(2) In compiling data and making assessments for the purposes of
paragraph (1), United States diplomatic personnel shall consult with
human rights organizations, technology and internet companies, and
other appropriate nongovernmental organizations.
``(3) In this subsection--
``(A) the term `electronic communication' has the meaning
given such term in section 2510 of title 18, United States
Code;
``(B) the term `internet' has the meaning given such term
in section 231(e)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 231(e)(3));
``(C) the term `personally identifiable information' means
data in a form that identifies a particular person; and
``(D) the term `wire communication' has the meaning given
such term in section 2510 of title 18, United States Code.''.
(b) Report Relating to Security Assistance.--Section 502B of the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304) is amended--
(1) by redesignating the second subsection (i) (relating to
child marriage status) as subsection (j); and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(k)(1) The report required by subsection (b) shall include an
assessment of freedom of expression with respect to electronic
information in each foreign country. Such assessment shall consist of
the following:
``(A) An assessment of the extent to which government
authorities in each country inappropriately attempt to filter,
censor, or otherwise block or remove nonviolent expression of
political or religious opinion or belief via the internet,
including electronic mail, as well as a description of the
means by which such authorities attempt to block or remove such
expression.
``(B) An assessment of the extent to which government
authorities in each country have persecuted or otherwise
punished an individual or group for the nonviolent expression
of political, religious, or ideological opinion or belief via
the internet, including electronic mail.
``(C) An assessment of the extent to which government
authorities in each country have sought to inappropriately
collect, request, obtain, or disclose personally identifiable
information of a person in connection with such person's
nonviolent expression of political, religious, or ideological
opinion or belief, including expression that would be protected
by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
``(D) An assessment of the extent to which wire
communications and electronic communications are monitored
without regard to the principles of privacy, human rights,
democracy, and rule of law.
``(2) In compiling data and making assessments for the purposes of
paragraph (1), United States diplomatic personnel shall consult with
human rights organizations, technology and internet companies, and
other appropriate nongovernmental organizations.
``(3) In this subsection--
``(A) the term `electronic communication' has the meaning
given such term in section 2510 of title 18, United States
Code;
``(B) the term `internet' has the meaning given such term
in section 231(e)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 231(e)(3));
``(C) the term `personally identifiable information' means
data in a form that identifies a particular person; and
``(D) the term `wire communication' has the meaning given
such term in section 2510 of title 18, United States Code.''.
SEC. 7. UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT COUNTING OF WOMEN AND GIRLS
IN VIETNAM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Vietnam remains a ``source and, to a lesser extent, a
destination country . . . for sex trafficking and forced
labor.''.
(2) Vietnamese men and women are subject to forced labor in
``rehabilitation'' centers, detention centers, and prisons and,
according to the 2016 Annual Report on Trafficking in Persons.
(3) Vietnamese migrants working in ``state-owned, private,
or joint-stock companies'' live in ``situations of
exploitation'' in the construction, fishing, agriculture,
mining, logging and manufacturing sectors in other countries.
(b) Implementation of the Girls Count Act of 2015 in Vietnam.--
(1) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(A) Vietnam's male to female sex-ratio disparity
has increased despite the Vietnamese Government's
ending of its policy limiting married couples to two
children.
(B) Experts believe the increase in sex-ratio
disparity favoring the birth of boys has enhanced a
``missing girls'' problem in Vietnam, rooted in a
cultural preference for boys and widespread
availability of pre-natal ultrasound screening.
(C) Sex disparities have critical economic and
social ramifications that effect United States
interests, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of women to
trafficking, child marriage, and reducing the ability
of women to seek employment and participate in
educational opportunities and civil society.
(2) Authorization.--The Secretary of State is authorized to
establish and support programs to--
(A) monitor and halt bride and sex trafficking of
girls and women in Vietnam and women from other
countries in Asia, including China, as appropriate; and
(B) address Vietnam's growing sex-ratio disparity
through economic support and technical assistance
projects as described in section 4(a) of the Girls
Count Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-24; 22 U.S.C. 2151
note).
SEC. 8. ILLEGAL EXPROPRIATION OF PROPERTIES OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS
BY THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The Government of Vietnam has used property
expropriation both to target independent churches and religious
communities and to retaliate against individuals who opposed
the Vietnamese Government or Communist Party or disagreed with
their policies.
(2) In November 2003, Vietnam's National Assembly passed
Resolution 23/2003/QH11 and Land Law 13/2003/QH11, which have
resulted in the expropriation of properties of Vietnamese
Americans, and ended any possible recourse for United States
citizens to reclaim their properties.
(b) Statement of Policy.--It shall be the policy of the United
States to convey to the Government of Vietnam that--
(1) relevant United States law protects properties of
United States citizens against illegal expropriation by foreign
governments; and
(2) any decision to grant eligibility to the Government of
Vietnam under the Generalized System of Preferences under title
V of the Trade Act of 1974, to provide United States foreign
assistance to Vietnam under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961,
and to provide United States support for loans from
international financial institutions for Vietnam will be
contingent upon whether and the extent to which the Government
of Vietnam has illegally expropriated properties of United
States citizens.
SEC. 9. VIETNAM ETHNIC MINORITY DEVELOPMENT FUND.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) ethnic minority groups in Vietnam face both economic
pressure, discrimination, and violations of internationally-
recognized human rights; and
(2) in prior years, Congress has directed that funds made
available for Economic Support Fund and technical assistance
for Vietnam be used to ``address the needs of affected
communities and individuals'' in ethnic minority communities,
targeting specifically those areas and regions with the highest
concentration of human rights violations.
(b) Vietnam Ethnic Minority Development Fund.--
(1) In general.--The President is authorized to provide
assistance to address the unique needs of ethnic minority
groups in Vietnam affected by past or current severe human
rights violations, including violations of the right to
religious freedom, expression, and association.
(2) Availability of amounts.--Amounts made available to
carry out chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of
1961 (22 U.S.C. 2346 et seq.) for economic support programs for
Vietnam are authorized to be made available to carry out
paragraph (1).
(3) Reference to fund.--Assistance provided under paragraph
(1) may be referred to as the ``Vietnam Ethnic Minority
Development Fund'' (in this section referred to as the
``Fund'').
(c) Consultations.--The Secretary of State shall, in identifying
ethnic minority groups in Vietnam for purposes of subsection (b),
consult with relevant nongovernmental organizations, including--
(1) Vietnamese-American and representatives of ethnic
minority groups in Vietnam; and
(2) the United States Commission on International Religious
Freedom.
(d) Report.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of State, in consultation
with the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development, shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report on the implementation of this
section, including a description of--
(A) programs, projects, and activities of the Fund;
and
(B) consultations with nongovernmental
organizations and the United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom in accordance with
subsection (c).
(2) Inclusion in annual reports on united states-vietnam
human rights dialogue meetings.--The report required by
paragraph (1) may be submitted to the appropriate congressional
committees as part of the report required under section 702 of
the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003
(Public Law 107-228; 22 U.S.C. 2151n note), as amended by
section 13 of this Act.
SEC. 10. UNITED STATES PUBLIC DIPLOMACY.
(a) Radio Free Asia Transmissions to Vietnam.--It is the sense of
Congress that--
(1) the United States should take measures to overcome the
jamming of Radio Free Asia by the Government of Vietnam; and
(2) the Broadcasting Board of Governors should maintain
current levels of funding for the Vietnamese language services
of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia.
(b) United States Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs With
Vietnam.--It is the sense of Congress that any programs of educational
and cultural exchange between the United States and Vietnam--
(1) should actively promote progress toward freedom and
democracy in Vietnam by providing opportunities to Vietnamese
nationals from a wide range of occupations and perspectives to
see freedom and democracy in action and, also, by ensuring that
Vietnamese nationals who have already demonstrated a commitment
to these values are included in such programs; and
(2) should also recognize and find ways to assist Vietnam's
religious and ethnic diversity.
SEC. 11. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON SALES OF LETHAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT OR
SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM.
It is the sense of Congress that any sale of lethal defense
articles or defense services under section 38 of the Arms Export
Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2778) to the Government of Vietnam, other than a
sale of such articles or services with respect to which the President
determines is directly related to ensuring United States interests in
the free and open navigation of the South China Sea, should be
conditioned upon additional, significant, and sustained steps to
advance internationally-recognized human rights.
SEC. 12. ANNUAL REPORTS ON UNITED STATES-VIETNAM HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE
MEETINGS.
Section 702 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year
2003 (Public Law 107-228; 22 U.S.C. 2151n note) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(9) Ending incidents of torture, police beatings, deaths
in police custody, and mob or societal violence targeting
religious groups or dissidents.
``(10) Returning properties of independent religious
communities or organizations that have been reportedly
expropriated by the Government of Vietnam or by government-
sanctioned religious organizations.
``(11) Addressing individual claims by United States
citizens whose properties have been expropriated by the
Government of Vietnam without effective, prompt, and fair
compensation.
``(12) Implementing section 4 of the Girls Count Act of
2015 (Public Law 114-24; 22 U.S.C. 2151 note) and how it has
been applied in Vietnam.
``(13) Implementing economic development projects funded by
the Ethnic Minority Development Fund and progress of each such
project.
``(14) Ensuring internet freedom and specific efforts to
ensure the safety and privacy of Vietnamese bloggers and
journalists on the internet or other forms of electronic
communication.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
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