Vietnam’s Human Rights Violations Are Cause for Concern (Rep. Ed Royce)

I am appalled by the events in Vietnam. Hanoi has intensified its brutal oppression of religious freedom, political dissent and other basic human rights.

In the past three months, Vietnamese officials have stepped up their harassment of religious leaders, political dissidents, and student activists. Yet, the Communist Government of Vietnam claims that they’ve reformed.

In an effort to skirt the issue of human rights during President Nguyen’s visit to Washington, his government freed key political “cyber” dissident Nguyen Vu Binh. We’re not fooled by this window dressing. The recent crackdown on peaceful dissidents and the squashing of human rights has been called the worst in twenty years. We can be thankful for Binh’s release, but must not forget the scores of others that remain imprisoned for their belief in democracy and human rights.

I was disappointed by the recent removal of Vietnam from the list of Countries of Particular Concern.  Some believe that so-called reforms by the communist government are adequate – they are not.  I have written to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice requesting that Vietnam be placed back on that list. Until the government accepts opposition and respects human rights, this is where they deserve to be.