Ongoing human rights abuses at the hands of the Vietnamese Government including the mistreatment and imprisonment of democracy advocates, peoples of faith and labor rights activists, are the targets of a bill introduced Thursday by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04).

    “The Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2011,” H.R. 1410, was introduced April 7 to promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam by setting restrictions on U.S. aid while allowing humanitarian assistance to continue.

    “The human rights situation in Vietnam has gotten worse over the past few years even as Hanoi seeks better relations with the United States,” said Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The government has not been afraid to oppress its own citizens who only seek basic rights. Victims have been jailed and harassed just for practicing their faith and standing up for what they believe in.”

    H.R. 1410 prohibits U.S. non-humanitarian assistance to the Government of Vietnam over current levels unless increased U.S. dollars for programs including economic, environmental and military initiatives are commensurate with U.S. funding for human rights and democracy programs in Vietnam. It also prohibits non-humanitarian aid unless the President certifies to Congress that Vietnam has dramatically improved its human rights record, specifically including the release of all political and religious prisoners, and protects the right to freedom of assembly, religious expression and association. The bill seeks substantial progress towards repealing or revising laws that criminalize democracy related activities.

    The legislation also grants the President the ability to waive the prohibition, if such a waiver would promote the purpose of the act or is in the national interest of the United States. It authorizes the President to provide assistance to promote internationally recognized human rights in Vietnam, to promote educational and cultural exchange programs with Vietnam, and expresses U.S. policy  in overcoming Hanoi’s jamming of Radio Free Asia. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress on the progress of human rights in Vietnam.

    “The Government of Vietnam’s abuse of its own people cannot be ignored by the United States,” Smith said. “If Hanoi wants to improve its tattered international reputation and increase trade and economic opportunities for its people—especially through U.S. relations—it needs to dramatically improve its abysmal human rights record against its own citizens. The government should reverse course and allow freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of political discourse.”