[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 484 Introduced in House (IH)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 484

   Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to 
 respect basic human rights and cease abusing vague national security 
  provisions such as articles 79 and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code 
     which are often the pretext to arrest and detain citizens who 
        peacefully advocate for religious and political freedom.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 6, 2011

 Ms. Loretta Sanchez of California submitted the following resolution; 
         which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to 
 respect basic human rights and cease abusing vague national security 
  provisions such as articles 79 and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code 
     which are often the pretext to arrest and detain citizens who 
        peacefully advocate for religious and political freedom.

Whereas article 79, which penalizes ``carrying out activities aimed at 
        overthrowing the people's administration'', carries a maximum penalty of 
        death and is used by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
        to crackdown on citizens advocating for political pluralism or 
        associating with prodemocracy parties, including--

    (1) Le Cong Dinh, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Nguyen Tien Trung, Le Thang 
Long, and Tran Anh Kim arrested in 2009;

    (2) Cao Van Tinh, Duong Kim Khai, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Nguyen Thanh Tam, 
Pham Minh Hoang, Pham Ngoc Hoa, Pham Van Thong, and Tran Thi Thuy arrested 
in 2010; and

    (3) Dang Xuan Dieu, Ho Duc Hoa, Ho Van Oanh, Nguyen Van Duyet, Nguyen 
Van Oai, Nguyen Xuan Anh, Nong Hung Anh, Paulus Le Son, Thai Van Dung, and 
Tran Minh Nhat arrested during the summer of 2011;

Whereas article 88, which penalizes ``conducting propaganda against the State'', 
        carries a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment and is used by the 
        Government of Vietnam to detain writers and bloggers, including--

    (1) Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Phong, and Tran Quoc Hien arrested in 
2007;

    (2) Nguyen Van Hai (``Dieu Cay''), Nguyen Xuan Nghia, Pham Thanh 
Nghien, and Pham Van Troi arrested in 2008;

    (3) Cu Huy Ha Vu, Phan Thanh Hai, and Vi Duc Hoi arrested in 2010; and

    (4) Lu Van Bay arrested in 2011;

Whereas Vietnam is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 
        the International Covenant on Civil Rights and Political Rights;
Whereas the Government of Vietnam's stated desire to have other countries adhere 
        to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas and similar 
        international agreements is bolstered by its own respect for 
        international norms on human rights; and
Whereas closer economic and security ties between the United States and Vietnam 
        is ultimately contingent on the Government of Vietnam's respect for 
        basic freedoms: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the continued and worsening crackdown in the 
        Socialist Republic of Vietnam against community organizers, 
        bloggers, and democracy activists;
            (2) calls on the Government of Vietnam to repeal articles 
        79 and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code and similar vague 
        national security measures used to persecute peaceful political 
        opposition and dissent;
            (3) calls on the Government of Vietnam to release all 
        political prisoners, especially all activists, writers, and 
        bloggers who have been detained or sentenced under articles 79 
        and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code; and
            (4) urges the United States Department of State to monitor 
        developments of rule of law to ensure the extent to which laws 
        in Vietnam are administered in ways that are consistent with 
        international human rights standards, meeting concrete 
        benchmarks that are hallmarks of sustainable development.
                                 <all>