,i #aac? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ahig ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,may #h1 #bjac ,mr4 ,smi? ( ,new ,j]sey 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,royce1 ,mr4 ,wolf1 ,ms4 ,l(gr51 & ,mr4 ,l[5?al7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,=eign ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to promote fre$om & democracy 9 ,vietnam4 #a4 ,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts 7a7 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,vietnam ,human ,rights ,act ( #bjac4 7b7 ,table ( cont5ts ,! table ( cont5ts = ?is ,act is z foll[s3 ,sec4 #a4 ,%ort title2 table ( cont5ts4 ,sec4 #b4 ,f9d+s & purpose4 ,sec4 #c4 ,prohibition on increas$ nonhumanit>ian assi/ance to ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam4 ,sec4 #d4 ,unit$ ,/ates public diplomacy4 ,sec4 #e4 ,unit$ ,nations ,human ,rights ,c\ncil4 ,sec4 #f4 ,annual report4 #b4 ,f9d+s & purpose 7a7 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! relation%ip betwe5 ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ! ,sociali/ ,republic ( ,vietnam has gr[n sub/antially s9ce ! end ( ! trade emb>go 9 #aiid1 ) annual trade betwe5 ! two c\ntries rea*+ ne>ly #be1jjj1jjj1jjj 9 #bjab4 7#b7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam's transition t[>d great] economic fre$om & trade has n be5 mat*$ by great] political fre$om & sub/antial improvem5ts 9 basic human rights = ,vietnamese citiz5s1 includ+ fre$om ( religion1 expression1 association1 & assembly4 7#c7 ,! ,unit$ ,/ates ,congress agre$ to ,vietnam becom+ an (ficial memb] ( ! ,_w ,trade ,organization 9 #bjjf1 amid/ assurances t ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam 0 /eadily improv+ its human rights record & w\ld cont9ue to d s4 7#d7 ,vietnam rema9s a "o-p>ty /ate1 rul$ & controll$ by ! ,communi/ ,p>ty ( ,vietnam 7,,cpv71 :i* cont9ues to d5y ! "r ( citiz5s to *ange _! ,gov]nm5t4 7#e7 ,al?\gh 9 rec5t ye>s ! ,national ,assembly ( ,vietnam has play$ an increas+ly active role z a =um = highlight+ local conc]ns1 corruption1 & ineffici5cy1 ! ,national ,assembly rema9s subject to ! direction ( ! ,,cpv & ! ,,cpv ma9ta9s control ov] ! selection ( c&idates 9 national & local elections4 7#f7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam =bids public *all5ge to ! legitimacy ( ! "o-p>ty /ate1 re/ricts fre$oms ( op9ion1 ! press1 & association & tightly limits access to ! ,int]net & telecommunication4 7#g7 ,s9ce ,vietnam's accession to ! ,,wto on ,janu>y #aa1 #bjjg1 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam arbitr>ily arre/$ & deta9$ num]\s individuals = _! peaceful advocacy ( religi\s fre$om1 democracy1 & human rights1 includ+ ,fa!r ,nguy5 ,van ,ly1 human rights lawy]s ,nguy5 ,van ,dai1 ,le ,?i ,cong ,nhan1 ,cu ,huy ,ha ,vu1 & ,le ,cong ,d9h1 & blogg]s ,nguy5 ,van ,hai1 ,ta ,phong ,tan1 & ,le ,van ,son4 7#h7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam cont9ues to deta91 imprison1 place "u h\se arre/1 convict1 or o!rwise re/rict p]sons = ! peaceful expression ( diss5t+ political or religi\s views4 7#i7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam cont9ues to deta9 labor lead]s & re/ricts ! "r to organize indep5d5tly4 7#aj7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam cont9ues to limit ! fre$om ( religion1 re/rict ! op]ations ( indep5d5t religi\s organizations1 & p]secute believ]s ^: religi\s activities ! ,gov]nm5t reg>ds z a pot5tial ?reat to its monopoly on p[]4 7#aa7 ,despite report$ progress 9 *ur* op5+s & legal regi/rations ( religi\s v5ues1 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam has halt$ mo/ positive actions s9ce ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate lift$ ! c\ntry ( p>ticul> conc]n 7,,cpc7 designation = ,vietnam 9 ,novemb] #bjjf4 7#ab7 ,unregi/]$ e?nic m9ority ,prote/ant congregations1 p>ticul>ly ,montagn>ds 9 ! ,c5tral & ,nor?we/ ,highl&s1 suff] sev]e abuses because ( actions by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam1 :i* h includ$ =c$ r5unciations ( fai?1 arre/ & h>assm5t1 ! )hold+ ( social programs provid$ = ! g5]al population1 confiscation & de/ruction ( prop]ty1 subjection to sev]e beat+s1 & report$ dea?s4 7#ac7 ,!re has be5 a patt]n ( viol5t responses by ! ,gov]nm5t to peaceful pray] vigils & demon/rations by ,ca?olics = ! return ( ,gov]nm5t-confiscat$ *ur* prop]ties4 ,prote/]s h be5 h>ass$1 beat51 & deta9$ & *ur* prop]ties h be5 de/roy$4 ,ca?olics also cont9ue to face "s re/rictions on selection ( cl]gy1 ! e/abli%m5t ( sem9>ies & sem9>y c&idates1 & individual cases ( travel & *ur* regi/ration4 7#ad7 ,9 ,may #bjaj ! village ( ,con ,dau1 a ,ca?olic p>i% 9 ,da ,nang1 fac$ escalat$ viol5ce dur+ a fun]al procession z police attempt$ to prohibit a religi\s burial 9 ! village cemet]y2 m ?an #ajj villag]s 7 injur$1 #fb 7 arre/$1 five 7 tortur$1 & at lea/ ?ree di$4 7#ae7 ,! ,unifi$ ,buddhi/ ,*ur* ( ,vietnam 7,,ubcv7 suff]s p]secution z ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam cont9ues to re/rict contacts & movem5t ( s5ior ,,ubcv cl]gy = refus+ to jo9 ! /ate-sponsor$ ,buddhi/ organization1 ! ,gov]nm5t re/ricts expression & assembly1 & ! ,gov]nm5t cont9ues to h>ass & ?reat5 ,,ubcv monks1 nuns1 & y\? lead]s4 7#af7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam cont9ues to suppress ! activities ( o!r religi\s adh]5ts1 includ+ ,cao ,dai & ,hoa ,hao ,buddhi/s :o lack (ficial recognition or h *os5 n to affiliate ) ! /ate-sanction$ gr\ps1 includ+ ?r\gh ! use ( det5tion1 imprisonm5t1 & /rict ,gov]nm5t ov]sight4 7#ag7 ,_m ,montagn>ds & o!rs are /ill s]v+ long prison s5t5ces = _! involvem5t 9 peaceful demon/rations 9 #bjja1 #bjjb1 #bjjd1 & #bjjh4 ,montagn>ds cont9ue to face ?reats1 det5tion1 beat+s1 =c$ r5unciation ( fai?1 prop]ty de/ruction1 re/rict$ movem5t1 & report$ dea?s at ! h&s ( ,gov]nm5t (ficials4 7#ah7 ,e?nic m9ority ,hmong 9 ,nor!rn ,vietnam1 ! ,nor?we/ ,highl&s1 & ! ,c5tral ,highl&s ( ,vietnam also suff] re/rictions1 confiscation ( prop]ty1 abuses1 & p]secution by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam4 7#ai7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam re/ricts ,khm] ,krom expression1 assembly1 & association1 has confiscat$ ne>ly all ! ,!ravada ,buddhi/ temples1 controls all ,khm] ,kaon ,buddhi/ religi\s organizations & prohibits mo/ peaceful prote/s4 7#bj7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam controls ne>ly all pr9t & electronic m$ia1 includ+ access to ! ,int]net1 jams ! signals ( "s =eign radio /ations1 includ+ ,radio ,free ,asia1 & has deta9$ & imprison$ individuals :o h po/$1 publi%$1 s5t1 or o!rwise di/ribut$ democracy-relat$ mat]ials4 7#ba7 ,p arre/$ 9 ,vietnam because ( _! political or religi\s affiliations & activities (t5 are n accord$ due legal process z !y lack full access to lawy]s ( _! *oice1 may exp]i5ce clos$ trials1 h (t5 be5 deta9$ = ye>s )\t trial1 & h be5 subject$ to ! use ( torture to admit crimes !y did n commit or to falsely d5\nce _! own lead]s4 7#bb7 ,vietnam cont9ues to be a s\rce c\ntry = ! comm]cial sexual exploitation & =c$ labor ( wom5 & girls1 z well z = m5 & wom5 legally ent]+ into int]national labor contracts :o subsequ5tly face conditions ( debt bondage or =c$ labor1 & is a de/9ation c\ntry = *ild traffick+ & cont9ues to h int]nal human traffick+4 7#bc7 ,!re are _m reports ( ,vietnamese (ficials & employees p>ticipat+ 91 facilitat+1 condon+1 or o!rwise be+ complicit 9 sev]e =ms ( human traffick+4 7#bd7 ,unit$ ,/ates refugee resettlem5t programs1 includ+ ! ,humanit>ian ,resettlem5t 7,,hr7 ,program1 ! ,ord]ly ,dep>ture ,program 7,,odp71 ,resettlem5t ,opportunities = ,vietnamese ,returnees 7,,rovr7 ,program1 g5]al resettlem5t ( boat p f refugee camps ?r\gh\t ,s\!a/ ,asia1 ! ,am]asian ,homecom+ ,act ( #aihh1 & ! ,priority ,"o ,refugee resettlem5t category1 h help$ rescue ,vietnamese nationals :o h suff]$ p]secution on acc\nt ( _! associations ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates or1 9 _m cases1 because ( su* associations by _! sp\ses1 p>5ts1 or o!r family memb]s1 z well z o!r ,vietnamese nationals :o h be5 p]secut$ because ( race1 religion1 nationality1 political op9ion1 or memb]%ip 9 a p>ticul> social gr\p4 7#be7 ,:ile previ\s programs h s]v$ _! purposes well1 a significant numb] ( eligible refugees f ,vietnam 7 unfairly d5i$ or exclud$1 includ+ ,am]asians1 9 "s cases by v9dictive or corrupt ,vietnamese (ficials :o controll$ access to ! programs1 & 9 o!rs by ,unit$ ,/ates p]sonnel :o impos$ unduly re/rictive int]pretations ( program crit]ia4 ,9 addition1 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam has d5i$ passports to p]sons :o ! ,unit$ ,/ates has f\nd eligible = refugee admission4 7#bf7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam report$ly is deta9+ t5s ( ?\s&s ( p1 ) "s z "y z #ab ye>s old1 9 gov]nm5t-run drug det5tion c5t]s & treat+ !m z slave labor]s4 7#bg7 ,9 #bjab1 ov] #aej1jjj p sign$ an onl9e petition call+ on ! ,adm9i/ration to n exp& trade ) communi/ ,vietnam at ! exp5se ( human rights4 7#bh7 ,congress has pass$ num]\s resolutions condemn+ human rights abuses 9 ,vietnam1 indicat+ t al?\gh !re has be5 an expansion ( relations ) ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam1 x %\ld n be con/ru$ z approval ( ! ongo+ & s]i\s violations ( fundam5tal human rights 9 ,vietnam4 7b7 ,purpose ,! purpose ( ?is ,act is to promote ! developm5t ( fre$om & democracy 9 ,vietnam4 #c4 ,prohibition on increas$ nonhumanit>ian assi/ance to ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam 7a7 ,assi/ance 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 subsection 7b71 ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t may n provide nonhumanit>ian assi/ance to ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam dur+ any fiscal ye> 9 an am\nt t exce$s ! am\nt ( su* assi/ance provid$ = fiscal ye> #bjab unless-- 7,a7 ) respect to ! limitation = fiscal ye> #bjad1 ! ,presid5t det]m9es & c]tifies to ,congress1 n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 t ! requirem5ts ( subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,g7 ( p>agraph 7#b7 h be5 met dur+ ! #ab-mon? p]iod end+ on ! date ( ! c]tification2 & 7,b7 ) respect to ! limitation = subsequ5t fiscal ye>s1 ! ,presid5t det]m9es & c]tifies to ,congress1 9 ! mo/ rec5t annual report submitt$ pursuant to section #f1 t ! requirem5ts ( subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,g7 ( p>agraph 7#b7 h be5 met dur+ ! #ab-mon? p]iod cov]$ by ! report4 7#b7 ,requirem5ts ,! requirem5ts ( ?is p>agraph are ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam has made sub/antial progress t[>d releas+ all political & religi\s prison]s f imprisonm5t1 h\se arre/1 & o!r =ms ( det5tion4 7,b7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam has made sub/antial progress t[>d-- 7i7 respect+ ! "r to fre$om ( religion1 includ+ ! "r to p>ticipate 9 religi\s activities & in/itutions )\t int]f]5ce1 h>assm5t1 or involvem5t ( ! ,gov]nm5t1 = all ( ,vietnam's div]se religi\s communities2 & 7ii7 return+ e/ates & prop]ties confiscat$ f ! *ur*es & religi\s communities4 7,c7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam has made sub/antial progress t[>d respect+ ! "r to fre$om ( expression1 assembly1 & association1 includ+ ! release ( indep5d5t j\rnali/s1 blogg]s1 & democracy & labor activi/s4 7,d7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam has made sub/antial progress t[>d repeal+ or revis+ laws t crim9alize peaceful diss5t1 indep5d5t m$ia1 unsanction$ religi\s activity1 & nonviol5t demon/rations & rallies1 9 accordance ) int]national /&>ds & treaties to :i* ,vietnam is a p>ty4 7,e7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam has made sub/antial progress t[>d all[+ ,vietnamese nationals free & op5 access to ,unit$ ,/ates refugee programs4 7,f7 ,! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam has made sub/antial progress t[>d respect+ ! human rights ( memb]s ( all e?nic & m9ority gr\ps4 7,g7 ,nei!r any (ficial ( ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam nor any ag5cy or entity :olly or p>tly own$ by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam 0 complicit 9 a sev]e =m ( traffick+ 9 p]sons1 or ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam took all appropriate /eps to end any su* complicity & hold su* (ficial1 ag5cy1 or entity fully acc\ntable = its conduct4 7b7 ,exception 7#a7 ,cont9uation ( assi/ance 9 ! national int]e/ ,not)/&+ ! failure ( ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam to meet ! requirem5ts ( subsection 7a77#b71 ! ,presid5t may waive ! application ( subsection 7a7 = any fiscal ye> if-- 7,a7 ! ,presid5t det]m9es t ! provision to ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam ( increas$ nonhumanit>ian assi/ance w\ld promote ! purpose ( ?is ,act or is o!rwise 9 ! national int]e/ ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 & 7,b7 ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t provides assi/ance1 at levels comm5surate )1 or exce$+1 any increases 9 nonhumanit>ian assi/ance to ,vietnam1 t supports-- 7i7 tra9+ ab\t ! obligation ( ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam to respect ! rights enum]at$ 9 ! ,int]national ,cov5ant on ,civil & ,political ,rights2 7ii7 noncomm]cial rule ( law programm+2 & 7iii7 measures to ov]come ! jamm+ ( ,radio ,free ,asia by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam4 7#b7 ,ex]cise ( waiv] au?ority ,! ,presid5t may ex]cise ! au?ority "u p>agraph 7#a7 ) respect to-- 7,a7 all ,unit$ ,/ates nonhumanit>ian assi/ance to ,vietnam2 or 7,b7 "o or m programs1 projects1 or activities ( su* assi/ance4 7c7 ,def9itions ,9 ?is section3 7#a7 ,nonhumanit>ian assi/ance ,! t]m nonhumanit>ian assi/ance means-- 7,a7 any assi/ance "u ! ,=eign ,assi/ance ,act ( #aifa 7includ+ programs "u title ,,iv ( *apt] #b ( "p ,i ( t ,act1 relat+ to ! ,ov]seas ,private ,inve/m5t ,corporation71 o!r ?an-- 7i7 disa/] relief assi/ance1 includ+ any assi/ance "u *apt] #i ( "p ,i ( t ,act2 7ii7 assi/ance :i* involves ! provision ( food 7includ+ monetization ( food7 or m$ic9e2 7iii7 assi/ance = environm5tal rem$iation ( diox9-contam9at$ sites & relat$ heal? activities2 7iv7 assi/ance to combat sev]e =ms ( traffick+ 9 p]sons2 7v7 assi/ance to combat p&emic diseases2 7vi7 assi/ance = refugees2 & 7vii7 assi/ance to combat ,,hiv_/,,aids1 includ+ any assi/ance "u section #ajd;,a ( t ,act2 & 7,b7 sales1 or f9anc+ on any t]ms1 "u ! ,arms ,export ,control ,act4 7#b7 ,sev]e =m ( traffick+ 9 p]sons ,! t]m sev]e =m ( traffick+ 9 p]sons means any activity describ$ 9 section #ajc7h7 ( ! ,traffick+ ,victims ,protection ,act ( #bjjj 7,public ,law #ajf-chf 7#aad ,/at4 #adgj72 #bb ,u4,s4,c4 #gajb7h774 7d7 ,effective date ,?is section %all take effect on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & %all apply ) respect to ! provision ( nonhumanit>ian assi/ance to ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam = fiscal ye> #bjad & subsequ5t fiscal ye>s4 #d4 ,unit$ ,/ates public diplomacy 7a7 ,radio ,free ,asia transmissions to ,vietnam ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t ! ,unit$ ,/ates %\ld take measures to ov]come ! jamm+ ( ,radio ,free ,asia by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam & t ! ,broadca/+ ,bo>d ( ,gov]nors %\ld n cut /aff+1 fund+1 or broadca/ h\rs = ! ,vietnamese language s]vices ( ! ,voice ( ,am]ica & ,radio ,free ,asia1 :i* %all be done )\t r$uc+ any o!r broadca/ language s]vices4 7b7 ,unit$ ,/ates educational & cultural ex*ange programs ) ,vietnam ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t any programs ( educational & cultural ex*ange betwe5 ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ,vietnam %\ld actively promote progress t[>d fre$om & democracy 9 ,vietnam by provid+ opportunities to ,vietnamese nationals f a wide range ( occupations & p]spectives to see fre$om & democracy 9 action &1 also1 by ensur+ t ,vietnamese nationals :o h already demon/rat$ a commitm5t to ^! values are includ$ 9 su* programs4 7c7 ,unit$ ,nations ,human ,rights ,c\ncil ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %\ld /rongly oppose1 & enc\rage o!r memb]s ( ! ,unit$ ,nations to oppose1 ! c&idacy ( ,vietnam = memb]%ip on ! ,unit$ ,nations ,human ,rights ,c\ncil = ! t]m beg9n+ 9 #bjad4 #e4 ,religi\s fre$om & human traffick+ 7a7 ,c\ntry ( p>ticul> conc]n ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t ,vietnam %\ld be designat$ z a c\ntry ( p>ticul> conc]n = religi\s fre$om pursuant to section #djb7;b7 ( ! ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om ,act ( #aiih 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #fddb7;b774 7b7 ,m9imum /&>ds = ! elim9ation ( human traffick+ ,x is ! s5se ( ,congress t ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam does n fully comply ) ! m9imum /&>ds = ! elim9ation ( traffick+ & is n mak+ significant ef=ts to br+ itself into compliance1 & ?is det]m9ation %\ld be reflect$ 9 ! annual report to ,congress requir$ pursuant to section #aaj7;b7 ( ! ,traffick+ ,victims ,protection ,act ( #bjjj 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #gajg7;b774 #f4 ,annual report 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an six mon?s aft] ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act & e #ab mon?s !reaft]1 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %all submit to ,congress a report on ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,! det]m9ation & c]tification ( ! ,presid5t t ! requirem5ts ( subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,g7 ( section #c7;a77#b7 h be5 met1 if applicable4 7#b7 ,if ! ,presid5t has waiv$ ! application ( section #c7;a7 pursuant to section #c7;b7 dur+ ! report+ p]iod-- 7,a7 ! national int]e/ ) respect to :i* su* a waiv] 0 bas$2 7,b7 ! am\nt ( increas$ nonhumanit>ian assi/ance provid$ to ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam2 & 7,c7 a description ( ! type & am\nt ( comm5surate assi/ance provid$ pursuant to section #c7;b77#a77;,b74 7#c7 ,ef=ts by ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t to promote access by ! ,vietnamese p to ,radio ,free ,asia transmissions4 7#d7 ,ef=ts to ensure t programs ) ,vietnam promote ! policy set =? 9 section #ajb ( ! ,human ,rights1 ,refugee1 & ,o!r ,=eign ,policy ,provisions ,act ( #aiif reg>d+ p>ticipation 9 programs ( educational & cultural ex*ange4 7#e7 ,li/s ( p]sons believ$ to be imprison$1 deta9$1 or plac$ "u h\se arre/1 tortur$1 or o!rwise p]secut$ by ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam due to _! pursuit ( int]nationally recogniz$ human rights4 ,9 compil+ su* li/s1 ! ,secret>y %all ex]cise appropriate discretion1 includ+ conc]ns reg>d+ ! safety & security (1 & b5efit to1 ! p]sons :o may be includ$ on ! li/s & _! families4 ,9 addition1 ! ,secret>y %all include a li/ ( su* p]sons & _! families :o may qualify = protections "u ,unit$ ,/ates refugee programs4 7#f7 ,a description ( ! developm5t ( ! rule ( law 9 ,vietnam1 includ+-- 7,a7 progress t[>d ! developm5t ( in/itutions ( democratic gov]nance2 7,b7 processes by :i* /atutes1 regulations1 rules1 & o!r legal acts ( ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam are develop$ & become b9d+ )9 ,vietnam2 7,c7 ! ext5t to :i* /atutes1 regulations1 rules1 adm9i/rative & judicial decisions1 & o!r legal acts ( ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam are publi%$ & are made accessible to ! public2 7,d7 ! ext5t to :i* adm9i/rative & judicial decisions are support$ by /atem5ts ( reasons t are bas$ ^u writt5 /atutes1 regulations1 rules1 & o!r legal acts ( ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,vietnam2 7,e7 ! ext5t to :i* individuals are treat$ equally "u ! laws ( ,vietnam )\t reg>d to citiz5%ip1 race1 religion1 political op9ion1 or curr5t or =m] associations2 7,f7 ! ext5t to :i* adm9i/rative & judicial decisions are indep5d5t ( political pressure or gov]nm5tal int]f]5ce & are review$ by entities ( appellate jurisdiction2 & 7,g7 ! ext5t to :i* laws 9 ,vietnam are writt5 & adm9i/]$ 9 ways t are consi/5t ) int]national human rights /&>ds1 includ+ ! rights enum]at$ 9 ! ,int]national ,cov5ant on ,civil & ,political ,rights4 7b7 ,contacts ) o!r organizations ,9 prep>+ ! report "u subsection 7a71 ! ,secret>y %all1 z appropriate1 seek out & ma9ta9 contacts ) nongov]nm5tal organizations & human rights advocates 7includ+ ,vietnamese-,am]icans & human rights advocates 9 ,vietnam71 includ+ receiv+ reports & updates f su* organizations & evaluat+ su* reports4 ,! ,secret>y %all also seek to consult ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,commission on ,int]national ,religi\s ,fre$om = appropriate sections ( ! report4