IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 484 
Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to respect 
basic human rights and cease abusing vague national security provisions 
such as articles 79 and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code which are 
often the pretext to arrest and detain citizens who peacefully advocate 
for religious and political freedom. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 6, 2011 
Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet-
nam to respect basic human rights and cease abusing 
vague national security provisions such as articles 79 
and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code which are often 
the pretext to arrest and detain citizens who peacefully 
advocate for religious and political freedom. 
Whereas article 79, which penalizes ‘‘carrying out activities 
aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration’’, car-
ries a maximum penalty of death and is used by the Gov-
ernment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to crack-
down on citizens advocating for political pluralism or as-
sociating with prodemocracy parties, including— 
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•HRES 484 IH 
(1) Le Cong Dinh, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Nguyen 
Tien Trung, Le Thang Long, and Tran Anh Kim ar-
rested in 2009; 
(2) Cao Van Tinh, Duong Kim Khai, Nguyen Chi 
Thanh, Nguyen Thanh Tam, Pham Minh Hoang, Pham 
Ngoc Hoa, Pham Van Thong, and Tran Thi Thuy ar-
rested in 2010; and 
(3) Dang Xuan Dieu, Ho Duc Hoa, Ho Van Oanh, 
Nguyen Van Duyet, Nguyen Van Oai, Nguyen Xuan 
Anh, Nong Hung Anh, Paulus Le Son, Thai Van Dung, 
and Tran Minh Nhat arrested during the summer of 
2011; 
Whereas article 88, which penalizes ‘‘conducting propaganda 
against the State’’, carries a maximum sentence of 12 
years imprisonment and is used by the Government of 
Vietnam to detain writers and bloggers, including— 
(1) Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Phong, and 
Tran Quoc Hien arrested in 2007; 
(2) Nguyen Van Hai (‘‘Dieu Cay’’), Nguyen Xuan 
Nghia, Pham Thanh Nghien, and Pham Van Troi ar-
rested in 2008; 
(3) Cu Huy Ha Vu, Phan Thanh Hai, and Vi Duc 
Hoi arrested in 2010; and 
(4) Lu Van Bay arrested in 2011; 
Whereas Vietnam is a signatory to the Universal Declaration 
of Human Rights and the International Covenant on 
Civil Rights and Political Rights; 
Whereas the Government of Vietnam’s stated desire to have 
other countries adhere to the United Nations Convention 
on the Law of the Seas and similar international agree-
ments is bolstered by its own respect for international 
norms on human rights; and 
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•HRES 484 IH 
Whereas closer economic and security ties between the United 
States and Vietnam is ultimately contingent on the Gov-
ernment of Vietnam’s respect for basic freedoms: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) condemns the continued and worsening 
crackdown in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
against community organizers, bloggers, and democ-
racy activists; 
(2) calls on the Government of Vietnam to re-
peal articles 79 and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code 
and similar vague national security measures used to 
persecute peaceful political opposition and dissent; 
(3) calls on the Government of Vietnam to re-
lease all political prisoners, especially all activists, 
writers, and bloggers who have been detained or sen-
tenced under articles 79 and 88 of the Vietnamese 
penal code; and 
(4) urges the United States Department of 
State to monitor developments of rule of law to en-
sure the extent to which laws in Vietnam are admin-
istered in ways that are consistent with international 
human rights standards, meeting concrete bench-
marks that are hallmarks of sustainable develop-
ment. 
Æ 
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