Support Human Rights

in Vietnam

Legislation that passed the House overwhelmingly

in the 107th Congress to be reintroduced

 March 3 , 2003

Dear Colleague:

We must not forget the dire human rights situation in Vietnam. Buddhists, Protestants, Catholics, ethnic minorities, and pro-democracy activists suffer intense persecution at the hands of Vietnam's brutal communist rulers. Many of those singled out for persecution are those who supported the United States during the Vietnam War.

During the 107th Congress, we were lead sponsors of HR 2833 "The Vietnam Human Rights Act." Designed to promote religious freedom and democracy in Vietnam, this legislation passed the House on September 6, 2001 by an overwhelming 410-1 margin, but stalled in the Senate.

Despite the fact that a bilateral trade agreement was signed with Vietnam in 2001, the state of human rights in this communist, totalitarian regime remains very bleak. Vietnam's leadership must be made to understand that just because America is interested in pursing normal trade relations, it does not mean that our interest in promoting human rights has been placed on the back burner.

The Vietnamese government's worst atrocities are reserved for ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards. They traditionally live in Vietnam's highlands, and they were our most loyal allies during the entire war. Many of our pilots are alive today and have families because they were rescued by Montagnards after bailing out downed aircraft. We receive numerous and credible reports that allege that Montagnards are being imprisoned, tortured, subject to forced sterilization, and systematically relocated to infertile lands by the Communist Party leaders in retaliation for their past loyalty to America. This past December, Vietnamese soldiers reportedly threatened to shoot Montagnard Christians if they celebrated Christmas, and several were arrested and tortured.

On March 6, we intend to reintroduce "The Vietnam Human Rights Act." This year's legislation will seek to prohibit non-humanitarian U.S. aid from being provided to Vietnam unless their government shows significant progress towards freeing political and religious prisoners and respecting the rights of ethnic minorities. Funding to support NGOs who promote human rights and democratic change in Vietnam, and to overcome the jamming of Radio Free Asia by the Vietnamese government, will be authorized. Our legislation also calls for the creation of a Commission to monitor human rights in Vietnam and seeks to expand outreach efforts to Vietnamese refugees who remain in danger because they supported America during the Vietnam War.

The power of mobilizing world opinion in defense of human rights should never be underestimated. We are hopeful that this year's "Vietnam Human Rights Act" will attain final passage and put much needed pressure on the Vietnamese government to improve their human rights policies. To be an original cosponsor of this legislation, please contact George Phillips (Rep. Chris Smith) at x53765 by noon on March 6.

                                                                              Sincerely, 

                                    ______________________                   ________________________

                         CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH                                   ED ROYCE

                              Member of Congress                                       Member of Congress