; Whereas the Department of State's 2016 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices states that, although Vietnamese law prohibits discrimination against ethnic minorities and despite Vietnam’s significant economic growth, the economic gap between many ethnic minority communities and ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh) communities persisted as a result of longstanding and persistent discrimination; Whereas the Department of State’s 2016 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices further states that ethnic minority populations in Vietnam also experienced significant health challenges as maternal and child mortality rates were significantly higher in ethnic minority areas, in comparison with urban and coastal areas; Whereas the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) in its 2016 Annual Report states that Montagnards, many of whom are Protestant, face numerous restrictions such as being prevented from holding religious ceremonies, harassed or punished, and many are summoned to meet with local authorities and pressured to cease practicing their poisonous faith ; Whereas Montagnards have stated that this kind of ongoing social and religious persecution drove them to flee to Cambodia; Whereas USCIRF reports that, since October 2014, up to 300 Montagnards have fled Vietnam to Cambodia, many because of religious persecution but only 13 have been granted refugee status with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as countless others are waiting for Cambodia to process their asylum claims, and dozens have been returned to Vietnam, often at great risk of reprisals ; and Whereas USCIRF recommends that Vietnam be designated a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) as a means to facilitating reforms: Now, therefore, be it