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HR 3190 109th Congress House

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2005

Official title: To promote freedom and democracy in Viet Nam.

Introduced: June 30, 2005 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
International Affairs Administration of justiceAmerican investmentsArmed Forces and National SecurityArms control
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Arms salesArrestArts, Culture, ReligionCambodiaCharitiesCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCongressCongress and foreign policyCongressional oversightCongressional reporting requirementsCrime and Law EnforcementCultural relationsDemocracyDeportationDetention of personsDevelopment credit institutionsDissentersDue process of lawEast AsiaEconomic assistanceEducationEducational exchangesElementary and secondary educationEmployee rightsEquality before the lawEthnic relationsExport financeExpropriationForced laborForeign Trade and International FinanceForeign loansFreedom of associationFreedom of speechGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityHigher educationHuman rightsImmigrationInternational broadcastingInvestment guaranty insuranceLabor and EmploymentLawLegal aidLegal servicesMilitary assistanceMinoritiesMisconduct in officeNongovernmental organizationsPolitical persecutionPolitical prisonersPresident and foreign policyProsecutionProstitutionPunishmentRadio broadcastingRefugeesReligionReligious libertyRight of assemblyRight of asylumRight of propertyRight to counselRight to travelRule of lawScience, Technology, CommunicationsSlaverySocial WelfareSuspects' rightsTortureTransportation and Public WorksVietnam
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 30, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Jun 30, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 30, 2005

Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2005 - Prohibits U.S. nonhumanitarian assistance to the government of Vietnam (except for any program assisted in FY2005) unless the President certifies to Congress that: (1) the government of Vietnam has made substantial progress toward releasing all political and religious prisoners from imprisonment, including respecting freedom of religion and the human rights of members of ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands or elsewhere in Vietnam; and (2) neither any official of the government of Vietnam nor any entity owned by such government was complicit in a severe form of trafficking in persons (or the government of Vietnam took appropriate steps to end such complicity). 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, for the support of individuals and organizations to promote human rights and nonviolent democratic change in Vietnam.

Declares it is U.S. policy: (1) to take such measures as are necessary 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 freedom and democracy.

Declares it is U.S. policy to offer refugee resettlement to Vietnam nationals (including members of the Montagnard ethnic minority groups) who are eligible for the Orderly Departure Program, (ODP), Resettlement Opportunities for Vietnamese Returnees (ROVR), the Amerasian Homecoming Act of 1988, or any other U.S. refugee program, but who were deemed ineligible for reasons of administrative error or certain circumstances beyond their control.

Directs the Secretary of State to report annually on progress toward democracy in Vietnam.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3190: Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2005. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-3190/
MLA
"H.R. 3190: Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2005." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-3190/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3190, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-3190/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3190: Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2005](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-3190/)
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