[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           COMMENDING VIETNAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ENI F.H. FALEOMAVAEGA

                           of american samoa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2014

  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Viet Nam for 
its national report on the promotion and protection of human rights 
under the 2nd cycle universal periodic review.
  The report is drafted in accordance with the guidelines of Resolution 
60/251 dated 15 March 2006 of the United Nations General Assembly, 
Resolution 5/1 dated 18 June 2007 of the Human Rights Council, and 
Decision 17/119 dated 19 June 2011 of the Human Rights Council.
  The drafting of the report was carried out by an inter-agency working 
group composed of government agencies and National Assembly committees 
working in the field of human rights, including the Office of the 
Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry 
of Public Security, Government Committee for Religious Affairs 
(Ministry of Home Affairs), Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social 
Affairs, Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of 
Planning and Investment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and 
Training, Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Natural Resources and 
Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Committee 
of Ethnic Minorities, People's Supreme Court, People's Supreme 
Procuracy, National Assembly's Committee on Law, and the National 
Assembly's Committee on Foreign Affairs.
  In an effort to engage in international cooperation on human rights, 
Viet Nam holds annual human rights dialogues with a number of countries 
and partners including the United States, the European Union, 
Australia, Norway and Switzerland. These dialogues have produced 
positive outcomes. They not only enhance the understanding and 
relationship between Viet Nam and its partners, but also bring about 
discussions on best practices to address human rights matters of mutual 
concern.
  On rights to freedom of expression, press and information, Viet Nam 
has made significant progress. Presently, there are 812 print 
newspapers and 1,084 publications; nearly 17,000 registered 
journalists; one national news agency, 67 radio and television 
stations; 101 TV channels and 78 broadcasting channels, 74 electronic 
newspapers and magazines; 336 social networks and 1,174 registered e-
portals (compared to 46 e-newspapers and 287 e-portals in 2011). The 
Voice of Viet Nam (VOV) Radio Station broadcasts throughout 99.5 
percent of Viet Nam's territory and many other countries via satellite. 
Today, the VOV reaches more than 90 percent of all households in Viet 
Nam.
  Viet Nam law prohibits all actions harming the life, health, 
property, dignity and honor of detainees. Detainees have the right to 
meet their family, access to counsel or legal aid according to the law, 
access to information via newspapers, radio and television available in 
detention facilities and have the right to petition against violations 
of the law and detention regulations.
  Prisoners have a right to education during their sentence and prisons 
strictly run education programs on literacy, elementary education, 
vocational training, laws and politics. Preventive healthcare and 
treatment for inmates are provided and prison health clinics have been 
upgraded or improved with professionally trained staff.
  Freedoms of association and assembly are guaranteed by the 
Constitution (Article 69) and are legally protected in laws and by-law 
documents. There currently are 460 social, professional organizations 
whose geographic scope of activity are nationwide or interprovincial; 
20 profession-based trade unions; 36,000 associations, federations, and 
social organizations which are local and, in general, these 
organizations have made great contributions to the development of the 
country, serving as a bridge between their members and the government.
  Viet Nam is a multi-religious society with many religions represented 
including Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao 
Buddhism, Four Debts of Gratitude, and others. Ninety-five percent of 
all the people have some form of belief. There are about 25,000 places 
of worship and about 24 million followers of various faiths. The 
consistent policy and law of Viet Nam is to respect the right to 
freedom of religion. Yearly, there are about 8,500 religious festivals. 
The closing ceremony of the 2011 Holy Year of the Catholic Church was 
attended by more than 50 bishops, 1,000 priests, 2,000 dignitaries and 
nearly 500,000 believers. The 100th anniversary of Protestantism in 
Viet Nam was also celebrated in 2011 and the many activities associated 
with the celebration were widely attended by dignitaries and followers 
from Viet Nam and throughout the world. In 2013, Viet Nam and the 
Vatican conducted the fourth round of the joint working group meeting 
on the strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation. In 2014, 
the Buddhist Church of Viet Nam will host the UN Vesak Day which is 
also expected to attract thousands of followers.
  When visiting Viet Nam in my official capacity as former Chairman and 
current Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on 
Asia and the Pacific, I have attended different religious services in 
various houses of worship and did so unannounced. I have always found 
Viet Nam to be a place favorable for religious activities, and I 
appreciate that Viet Nam is working to protect activities of religious 
groups by law.
  Much more could be said about the positive developments in Viet Nam 
regarding religious freedom, healthcare, the economy, education, gender 
equality and other areas of importance. As a Viet Nam veteran, I am 
proud of the progress Viet Nam is making. This is why I have entered 
into the Congressional Record a more accurate accounting of all Viet 
Nam is doing to promote and protect human rights so that history may 
counter any erroneous information that differs from the facts.

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