VOA标准英语2013--Human Rights Central To U.S.-Vietnam Relations

 

Human Rights Central To U.S.-Vietnam Relations

“Human Rights are a central part of the U.S.- Vietnam relationship,” said U.S. Acting¹ Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor² Scott Busby, speaking recently at a reception in Falls Church, Virginia:

“They will remain a central part of our relationship and we will continue to make that point to Vietnamese officials wherever and whenever we can.”

The United States and Vietnam continue to improve economic and trade ties, including through the Trans-Pacific Partnership³, a 21st century high standard free trade agreement. The two nations are increasing diplomatic coordination⁴ to support a peaceful resolution to disputes in the South China Sea and damming in the Mekong River. Vietnam and the United States also enjoy strong people-to-people relations through exchanges, educational programs and the funding of health initiatives.

However, the United States’ relationship with Vietnam cannot reach its full potential until there are improvements in Vietnam’s human rights situation.

Internet freedom is an area of particular concern. The Vietnamese government passed a decree in August that will impose further restrictions⁵ on the way the Internet is accessed and used in Vietnam when it comes into effect September 1. The decree appears to be inconsistent with Vietnam’s commitments to respect the freedom of expression. Additionally, the Vietnamese government continues to crack down on bloggers and dissidents, arresting many.

“We’ve spoken to the Vietnamese in very specific ways about what they can do to improve human rights,” said U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam David Shear⁶.

“Including releasing more political prisoners -- releasing all political prisoners; including improving the conditions of worship; including improvements in freedom of religion. We have asked them to ratify⁷ the convention against torture and they committed to doing that in the joint⁸ statement released recently during President [Truong Tan] Sang’s visit here to Washington.”

The United States, said Ambassador Shear, supports “a strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam, that respects human rights and the rule of law.”

1 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

2 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

3 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

4 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

5 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

6 shear   

n.修剪，剪下的东西，羊的一岁；vt.剪掉，割，剥夺；vi.修剪，切割，剥夺，穿越

参考例句：

• Every spring they shear off the sheep's wool and sell it.每年春天他们都要剪下羊毛去卖。
• In the Hebrides they shear their sheep later than anywhere else.在赫伯里兹，剪羊毛的时间比其他任何地方都要晚。

7 ratify   

v.批准，认可，追认

参考例句：

• The heads of two governments met to ratify the peace treaty.两国政府首脑会晤批准和平条约。
• The agreement have to be ratify by the board.该协议必须由董事会批准。

8 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。