[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 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

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

                              S. Res. 343

       Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of 
     Vietnam to:
       (A) 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;
       (B) 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;
       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
       (A) Strongly urges the Government of Vietnam to respect all 
     universally recognized human rights;
       (B) Expresses its concern over reports that the Government 
     of Vietnam used excessive force to put down recent, peaceful 
     demonstrations in Vietnam's Central Highlands;
       (C) Calls upon the Government of Vietnam to allow 
     international organizations and foreign observers ongoing 
     unrestricted access to the Central and Northwest Highlands;
       (D) Calls upon the Government of Vietnam to allow United 
     States officials to travel freely throughout Vietnam 
     including the Central and Northwest Highlands areas;
       (E) 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 NGO's, or international 
     organizations.

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