Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 484) calling on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to respect basic human rights and cease abusing vague national security provisions such as articles 79 and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code, which are often the pretext to arrest and detain citizens who peacefully advocate for religious and political freedom, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the resolution. The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 484 Whereas article 79, which penalizes ``carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the people's administration'', carries a maximum penalty of death and is used by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to crack down on citizens advocating for political pluralism or associating with prodemocracy parties, including-- (1) Le Cong Dinh, Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, Nguyen Tien Trung, Le Thang Long, and Tran Anh Kim arrested in 2009; (2) Cao Van Tinh, Duong Kim Khai, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Nguyen Thanh Tam, Pham Minh Hoang, Pham Ngoc Hoa, Pham Van Thong, and Tran Thi Thuy arrested in 2010; and (3) Dang Xuan Dieu, Ho Duc Hoa, Ho Van Oanh, Nguyen Dinh Cuong, Nguyen Van Duyet, Nguyen Van Oai, Nguyen Xuan Anh, Nong Hung Anh, Paulus Le Son, Thai Van Dung, and Tran Minh Nhat arrested during the summer of 2011; Whereas article 88, which penalizes ``conducting propaganda against the State'', carries a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment and is used by the Government of Vietna…”