Zoe Lofgren: “I look forward to the day, Mr. Speaker, when we no longer need to introduce resolutions condemning the Vietnamese…”

“I look forward to the day, Mr. Speaker, when we no longer need to introduce resolutions condemning the Vietnamese government for human rights violations. Unfortunately, I see no sign of change in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government continues to systematically violate the human rights of its citizens through political, cultural, and religious oppression. In fact, it seems that things have gotten worse in recent years, despite our attempts to build Normal Trade Relations with Vietnam. Just last month, the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam held two peaceful assemblies to discuss church affairs and elect new leadership following promises of a new era of ``respect and understanding for religious freedom'' by the Vietnamese Prime Minister. In stark contrast to this promise of ``respect and understanding,'' the Vietnamese Security Police intercepted the church leadership. After a tense 10-hour standoff, 11 monks were arrested and placed under administrative detention. The Buddhist Church's Patriarch, Thich Huyen Quang, 86 years old, and his deputy, Noble Peace Prize nominee Thich Quang do, 75 years old, are currently being held in total isolation. According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, this is pretty much the norm in Vietnam. They say ``key religious dissidents have been imprisoned, and others remain in detention or under house arrest.'' They have reports of 18 Buddhists in prison or under house arrest, and 20 UBCV in detention or reeducation camps.”