Legislation > H. Res. 447 (110th U.S. Congress: 2007-2008)
H. Res. 447: Condemning the recent convictions and sentencing of Vietnamese pro-democracy activists,...

HRES 447 IH

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 447

Condemning the recent convictions and sentencing of Vietnamese pro-democracy activists, expressing concern over the future of the United States-Vietnam relationship, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 24, 2007

Mr. BLUMENAUER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

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RESOLUTION

Condemning the recent convictions and sentencing of Vietnamese pro-democracy activists, expressing concern over the future of the United States-Vietnam relationship, and for other purposes.

Whereas it is widely recognized that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam had taken steps to improve its human rights record in the months before the granting of Permanent Normal Trade Relations to Vietnam by the United States and its accession to the World Trade Organization in January 2007;

Whereas Permanent Normal Trade Relations were intended to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Vietnam;

Whereas the strength of the relationship between the United States and Vietnam depends on progress towards democracy and respect for human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam;

Whereas since that time, Vietnam has engaged in a crackdown on pro-democracy activists and political dissidents;

Whereas on May 10, 2007, Huynh Nguyen Dao, Nguyen Bac Truyen, and Le Nguyen Sang were sentenced, respectively, to three, four, and five years in prison;

Whereas on May 11, 2007, Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan were sentenced to five and four years in prison, respectively;

Whereas on May 15, 2007, Tran Quoc Hien was sentenced to five years in prison;

Whereas all of these pro-democracy activists were convicted of `disseminating slanderous and libelous information against the State';

Whereas Le Quoc Quan, a former fellow with the National Endowment for Democracy, Tran Thuy Trang, and Truong Quoc Huy continue to be detained without trial for their peaceful political activities;

Whereas according to Reporters Without Borders, `It is the worst series of arrests and sentences since 2002.';

Whereas these convictions violate Article 69 of the Vietnamese Constitution, which states that `The citizen shall enjoy freedom of opinion and speech, freedom of the press, the right to be informed and the right to assemble, form associations and hold demonstrations in accordance with the provisions of the law.'; and

Whereas these convictions are in contravention of the rights enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Vietnam is a state party, specifically Article 19 (freedom of expression) and Article 22 (freedom of association); Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) condemns in the strongest terms the convictions and sentencing of Tran Quoc Hien, Huynh Nguyen Dao, Nguyen Bac Truyen, Le Nguyen Sang, Nguyen Van Dai, and Le Thi Cong Nhan and the continued detention of Le Quoc Quan, Tran Thuy Trang, and Truong Quoc Huy by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam;

(2) calls for their immediate and unconditional release and the dropping of all criminal charges, and for the immediate and unconditional release of all other political and religious prisoners in Vietnam;

(3) expresses its concern over the future of the United States-Vietnam bilateral relationship unless Vietnam demonstrates progress towards democracy and respect for human rights and religious freedom; and

(4) urges the President to use the upcoming visit of the President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the United States as an opportunity to publicly call for progress towards democracy and respect for human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam.
 
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