OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Supporting Human Rights in Vietnam

By: Al Green
By: Al Green
Date: June 26, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Religion


SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN VIETNAM -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 26, 2008)

SPEECH OF
HON. AL GREEN
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2008

* Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, Respect for human rights and individual freedom is an important element of American foreign policy. Therefore, it must be the goal of the United States government to work towards enhancing human rights conditions, individual liberty and religious freedom in Vietnam. Moral imperatives such as freedom and individual rights are exceedingly important in establishing a mutually beneficial diplomatic relationship.

* The current human rights situation in Vietnam is unacceptable. I am greatly concerned about state sanctioned oppression that has left numerous Vietnamese citizens helpless in the face of a government that has chosen to exercise repressive rule over a population that seeks individual, political and religious freedom. There are numerous religious and political prisoners imprisoned in Vietnam. Political prisoners are placed in conditions that are unacceptable. The international community should not sit idly by and allow this behavior to continue without condemnation.

* In Vietnam, according to Human Rights Watch, ``2007 was characterized by the harshest crackdown on peaceful dissent in 20 years.'' Additionally, since gaining membership in the WorId Trade Organization, it has been reported that Vietnam moved to suppress all challenges to the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) by arresting dozens of democracy and human rights activists, independent trade union leaders, underground publishers, and members of unsanctioned religious groups.

* The government of Vietnam should not be rewarded by the United States government and the international community for stifling the freedom of the press, arresting dissidents, and labeling religious activity as subversive. We need a bilateral relationship with Vietnam that enhances individual freedom, democracy, and freedom of speech. I will continue to work in Congress to help promote democracy and end oppression in Vietnam.


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