Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-1410
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2011-04-07 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Congressional oversight
Cultural exchanges and relations
Detention of persons
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
Human trafficking
Immigration status and procedures
International exchange and broadcasting
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
News media and reporting
Political movements and philosophies
Political representation
Property rights
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Sanctions
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: 
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2011 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2011 amounts unless: (1) the federal government provides assistance, in addition to democracy building assistance under this Act, supporting human rights training, civil society building, and exchange programs between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Congress at levels commensurate with or exceeding any increases in nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; and (2) 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, 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. 
 
Authorizes the President to provide U.S. assistance through appropriate nongovernmental organizations and the Human Rights Defenders Fund for the support of individuals and organizations to promote human rights in Vietnam. 
 
Declares it is U.S. policy: (1) to take measures to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by the government of Vietnam, and (2) that educational and cultural exchange programs with Vietnam should promote progress toward democracy. 
Declares it is U.S. policy to offer refugee resettlement to Vietnam nationals (including members of the Montagnard ethnic minority groups) who were eligible for the Humanitarian Resettlement program, the Orderly Departure program, the Resettlement Opportunities for Vietnamese Returnees program, the Amerasian Homecoming Act of 1988, or any other U.S. refugee program, but who were deemed ineligible for reasons of administrative error or who failed to apply because of circumstances beyond their control. 
Sets forth reporting requirements.
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: 
Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2012 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam in excess of FY2011 amounts unless: (1) the federal government provides assistance, in addition to democracy building assistance under this Act, supporting human rights training, civil society building, and exchange programs between the Vietnamese National Assembly and Congress at levels commensurate with or exceeding any increases in nonhumanitarian assistance to Vietnam; and (2) 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, 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. Limits waiver authority 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; and (2) U.S.-Vietnam educational and cultural exchange programs should promote freedom and democracy in Vietnam by providing opportunities to Vietnamese nationals from a wide range of occupations and perspectives to see freedom and democracy in action and, also, by ensuring that Vietnamese nationals who have demonstrated a commitment to these values are included in such programs.
 
Sets forth reporting requirements. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5835-5837)
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5835-5837)
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1410.
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5835-5842)
action_date: 2012-09-11
text: Ms. Ros-Lehtinen moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2012-03-07
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2012-03-07
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
action_date: 2011-05-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-04-07
text: Introduced in House