Vietnam Human Rights Act

Vietnam Human Rights Act

This bill amends various reporting requirements related to foreign assistance and human rights. It also authorizes various aid programs related to Vietnam.

In its annual reports to Congress on human rights in foreign countries and U.S. security assistance programs, the Department of State shall include assessments of online freedom of expression in each country, including efforts by governments to censor information, punish individuals for their speech, and monitor communications.

The State Department's annual report on human rights in Vietnam shall include information regarding the country's progress in various areas, including with respect to ending torture and violence against religious groups and returning property improperly confiscated by the Vietnamese government.

The bill authorizes the State Department to establish programs to (1) monitor and halt sex trafficking of women from Vietnam and other Asian countries, and (2) address Vietnam's growing sex-ratio disparity. It authorizes the President to provide assistance for ethnic minority groups in Vietnam affected by human rights violations and directs the State Department to report on such efforts.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov