[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 343 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 343

   Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to 
respect all universally recognized human rights, including the right to 
  freedom of religion and to participate in religious activities and 
institutions without interference or involvement of the Government; and 
 to respect the human rights of ethnic minority groups in the Central 
                  Highlands and elsewhere in Vietnam.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 27, 2004

Mr. Lugar (for himself, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Allen) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                           Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to 
respect all universally recognized human rights, including the right to 
  freedom of religion and to participate in religious activities and 
institutions without interference or involvement of the Government; and 
 to respect the human rights of ethnic minority groups in the Central 
                  Highlands and elsewhere in Vietnam.

Whereas the Government of Vietnam has discouraged the peaceful expression of 
        dissent by its citizens through intimidation, harassment, and sometimes 
        through imprisonment, house arrest and other forms of detention;
Whereas Vietnamese Government officials may travel freely throughout the United 
        States;
Whereas the Government of Vietnam has failed to adequately address issues of 
        land tenure and discrimination in ethnic minority areas of the Central 
        and Northwest Highlands;
Whereas reports have been received alleging attacks by Vietnamese police and 
        other Government representatives against Montagnards who were engaged in 
        peaceful Easter week demonstrations pressing for religious freedom and 
        the return of ancestral lands; and
Whereas Montagnards were reportedly beaten and reportedly killed by police and 
        other Vietnamese government representatives during the recent 
        demonstrations: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) strongly urges the Government of Vietnam to respect all 
        universally recognized human rights;
            (2) expresses its concern over reports that the Government 
        of Vietnam used excessive force to put down recent, peaceful 
        demonstrations in Vietnam's Central Highlands;
            (3) calls upon the Government of Vietnam to allow 
        international organizations and foreign observers ongoing 
        unrestricted access to the Central and Northwest Highlands;
            (4) calls upon the Government of Vietnam to allow United 
        States officials to travel freely throughout Vietnam including 
        the Central and Northwest Highlands area; and
            (5) strongly urges the Government of Vietnam to address the 
        concerns of indigenous minorities in the Central and Northwest 
        Highlands of Vietnam, and to permit direct assistance and 
        development activities aimed at improving socioeconomic 
        conditions for all Highlands residents, whether provided 
        bilaterally, through NGOs, or international organizations.
                                 <all>