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US HR1897

US HR1897
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013

summary

Introduced
05/08/2013
In Committee
06/27/2013
Crossed Over
09/09/2013
Passed
Dead
01/03/2015

Introduced Session

113th Congress

Bill Summary

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2012 amounts unless the President certifies to Congress that the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress respecting political, media, and religious freedoms, minority rights, access to U.S. refugee programs, return of confiscated religious estates and property, and actions to end trafficking in persons and the release of political prisoners. Authorizes the President to waive such requirements if increased U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance would promote the purposes of this Act or is otherwise in the U.S. national interest. Allows the President to waive such authority with respect to: (1) all U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; or (2) one or more programs, projects, or activities of such assistance. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should take measures to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by Vietnam and that the Broadcasting Board of Governors should not cut staffing, funding, or broadcast hours for the Vietnamese language services of the Voice of America and Radio Free Asia; (2) U.S.-Vietnam educational and cultural exchange programs should promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam; (3) the Secretary of State should oppose Vietnam's candidacy for membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC); (4) Vietnam should be designated as a country of particular concern for religious freedom; and (5) Vietnam does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance. Directs the President to report annually to Congress regarding Vietnam's compliance with the provisions of this Act.

AI Summary

This bill, the Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2013, aims to promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam by restricting U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance, which includes most aid except for disaster relief, food, medicine, environmental cleanup, demining, anti-trafficking efforts, pandemic disease control, refugee assistance, and HIV/AIDS programs, to the government of Vietnam. Specifically, it prohibits increasing this aid beyond 2012 levels unless the President certifies to Congress that Vietnam has made significant progress in areas such as releasing political and religious prisoners, respecting religious freedom and minority rights, allowing open access to U.S. refugee programs, returning confiscated religious properties, and ending human trafficking. The President can waive these restrictions if increased aid would serve U.S. national interests or advance the bill's goals, and can choose to waive it for all or specific programs. The bill also expresses Congress's sense that the U.S. should counter Vietnam's jamming of Radio Free Asia, ensure educational exchanges promote democracy, oppose Vietnam's membership on the UN Human Rights Council, designate Vietnam as a country of particular concern for religious freedom, and acknowledge Vietnam's failure to meet minimum standards for combating human trafficking. Finally, it mandates an annual report from the Secretary of State detailing Vietnam's compliance with these provisions.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (17)

Last Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (on 09/09/2013)
(1 Companion Bills)

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