Socialist Republic of Vietnam

In response to journalists' requests for a comment on the approval of the Vietnam Human Rights Act by the US House of Representatives on July 19, 2004, Mr. Le Dzung, the Spokesman of the Ministry Foreign Affairs of Vietnam stresses:

"The Government and people of Vietnam strongly protest and reject the so-called “Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2004” that has just been approved by the US House of Representatives. The proposed Act contains slanderous and distorted information on Vietnam.
We consider the proposed Act a gross interference into Vietnam’s internal affairs. It hurts the sentiments and dignity of the Vietnamese people. This move runs counter to the trend of improvement and development in the relationship between Vietnam and the US, and totally contradicts the interests of the two peoples.

We call upon the US Administration, Senators, organizations and individuals to take appropriate measures to prevent the Act from being approved at the US Senate.

Over the past years, Vietnam has recorded important achievements in many areas, putting in place better premises and material foundations for the exercise and promotion of its citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms. Vietnam has been recognized by the international community as one of the leading countries in hunger eradication and poverty alleviation. Vietnam is seen as a politically and socially stable environment where human rights are ensured. The Vietnamese legal system is being step by step improved for a better implementation of its citizens’ rights and freedoms. Since 1986, over 40 legal codes, more than 100 decrees, and thousands of other legal documents, including important documents pertaining to human rights, have been enacted. These legal documents have institutionalized human rights and become regulating tools of societal relations in a law-governed state whose core goal is to serve the people."