[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13874]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       H. RES. 484 AND H.R. 1410

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 11, 2012

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the two bills 
before us on human rights in Vietnam. These bills will enhance U.S. 
efforts to promote media and religious freedom in Vietnam, while 
communicating our concern and desire to protect the courageous 
advocates for freedom who risk everything to change their country for 
the better. I urge my colleagues to support both.
  H. Res. 484 condemns the increasing repression by Vietnam's 
government of community organizers, bloggers, and democracy activists. 
Across the world, social media has empowered people to push for the 
rights that should be inherent in their citizenship. It has been like a 
wind filling the sails of movements pushing for more freedom, stronger 
accountability, and greater commitment to justice.
  But we cannot forget that behind these social media are courageous 
individuals who risk everything to achieve those goals. This bill will 
make it clear to the government of Vietnam that their use of vague 
national security provisions in the penal code has been noted, and that 
the U.S. Congress will continue to press for freedom for people who are 
swept into prison under such shameful circumstances.
  People like Nguyen Quoc Quan, a peaceful democracy activist and a 
U.S. citizen, who was arrested while visiting his home country. 
Recently, his prison sentence under one article has been extended four 
months under another. He was charged with terrorism under Article 88, 
and then the prosecutor rescinded that judgment and extended his jail 
term for ``attempting to overthrow the government'' under Article 79. 
We call this what it is: arbitrary, cruel, and unfair, and with this 
bill we call on the Vietnamese authorities to release all political 
prisoners, especially activists, writers, and bloggers who have been 
imprisoned under these provisions of the Vietnamese criminal code.
  H.R. 1410 emphasizes that, while the United States will continue to 
work together with the Government of Vietnam on important issues of 
mutual concern, we will not increase our commitment of assistance until 
and unless they make substantial progress on media and religious 
freedoms, minority rights, access to U.S. refugee programs, and ending 
trafficking in persons.
  This bill will bring hope to Vietnam's courageous democracy advocates 
that the United States values their efforts and will keep human rights 
at the center of our relationship.
  The United States has taken important steps to demonstrate that that 
we hope to build a common future with Vietnam built on cooperation, 
development, and peace. In recent years, we have maintained a robust 
program of bilateral aid to Vietnam because it is in our national 
interest and it is in the interest of the people of Vietnam.
  But Vietnam cannot reach its potential as a nation if its people are 
denied basic rights. And sadly, the government of Vietnam is taking the 
country backwards in terms of human freedom. These two bills make clear 
that a good relationship requires progress on this critical issue.

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