Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
House passes bill to promote human rights in Vietnam

House passes bill to promote human rights in Vietnam

Last updated on: September 19, 2012 at 6:09 am by CNA Daily News

House passes bill to promote human rights in Vietnam 2012-09-19T06:09:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Washington D.C., Sep 19, 2012 / 12:09 am (CNA).- A bill to encourage freedom and respect for human rights, including religious liberty, in communist-run Vietnam was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 11.

"It is imperative that the United States Government send an unequivocal message to the Vietnamese regime that it must end its human rights abuses against its own citizens," said Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), who authored the bill.

Smith, who chairs a House subcommittee on human rights, explained that the bill would place limitations on U.S. aid to Vietnam until the government improves its human rights record, while at the same time allowing humanitarian assistance to continue as needed.

In a discussion on the House floor, Smith pointed to a hearing held earlier this year, at which witnesses testified about the nation’s continuing and sometimes increasing persecution of religious and political dissenters, as well as the Vietnamese government's failure to investigate and persecute human trafficking violations.

The Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2012 states that Vietnam's "transition toward greater economic freedom and trade has not been matched by greater political freedom and substantial improvements in basic human rights for Vietnamese citizens."

It also observes that the U.S. had agreed to Vietnam’s acceptance into the World Trade Organization in 2006 “amidst assurances that the Government of Vietnam was steadily improving its human rights record and would continue to do so.”

However, six years later, actions taken by the Communist Party of Vietnam continue to raise serious concerns about respect for human rights within the country, it says.

The legislation lists examples of the arbitrary arrests and imprisonments of numerous individuals – including Father Nguyen Van Ly – who has peacefully advocated religious freedom and human rights in the country.

It also notes "a pattern of violent responses by the Government to peaceful prayer vigils and demonstrations by Catholics" whose property had been confiscated by the state.

"Protesters have been harassed, beaten, and detained and church properties have been destroyed," the bill says.

"Catholics also continue to face some restrictions on selection of clergy, the establishment of seminaries and seminary candidates, and individual cases of travel and church registration," it adds.

In one 2010 case, more than 100 villagers in a Catholic parish in Da Nang were injured and at least three were killed in the violence that erupted as police tried to prevent a religious burial in the village cemetery.

The legislation also draws attention to the persecution of other religious minorities in the country, as well as attempts to intimidate and silence political dissenters and continuing problems with human trafficking.

The bill, which drew bipartisan support, prohibits an increase in non-humanitarian assistance to the Vietnamese government unless it makes "substantial progress" towards securing human rights within the country.

These improvements would require a repeal of laws that prohibit peaceful demonstrations and “unsanctioned religious activity,” as well as the release of religious and political prisoners.

In addition, the legislation would demand significant government improvement in the area of respecting fundamental rights, including the freedom of religious expression.

It would also require the Vietnamese government to respect the human rights of ethnic minorities and improve its work to fight human trafficking.

While blocking an increase in U.S. funds, the bill would allow for increased humanitarian aid for food, water and medicine if deemed necessary.

Smith praised the passage of the bill, which he described as an important step in implementing “effective measures towards improving human rights in Vietnam.”

Asia - Pacific

Previous Post

September 18, 2012

Polls find Catholic voters evenly split on presidential race

Next Post

September 19, 2012 Group aims to influence Chicago archbishop appointment

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: According to 1 John, God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE