(VOV) - The US House of Representatives on Friday passed the Vietnam Human Rights Act 2013. The act calls on the US government to link human rights and democracy conditions with non-humanitarian aid for Vietnam and hold a more conservative attitude towards Vietnam on issues related to human rights and religious freedom. American Samoa’s delegate to the US House of Representatives, Eni Faleomavaega, has criticized the House Foreign Affairs Committee for passing this document which he says does not reflect the full truth of the situation in Vietnam.

US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega

In a press release, Eni Faleomavaega, who is member of the House Foreign Affairs Sub-committee on Asia and the Pacific, said the act’s approval was affected by some Vietnamese Americans who do not have goodwill towards Vietnam. The press release states that Vietnamese leaders are committed to strengthening Vietnam-US relations and promoting people’s fundamental human rights. Vietnam is making every effort to improve its human rights record through reinforcing its legal system and socio-economic and cultural rights, while welcoming international assistance to help implement appropriate human rights policies. Faleomavaega said Congresswoman Barbara Lee has proposed a bill on assistance for people exposed to Agent Orange/dioxin. He said the US must be held responsible for and help overcome the consequences of tens of millions of liters of herbicides containing Agent Orange/dioxin that were sprayed over Vietnam by the US military during the war.