[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H4588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN VIETNAM

  (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of House Resolution 334, which I introduced yesterday. This 
resolution calls for the release of 118 Vietnamese citizens who have 
been arrested, detained or harassed for signing the Manifesto on 
Freedom and Democracy in Vietnam.
  The manifesto is a peaceful, nonviolent declaration demanding 
political freedom and respect for Vietnam's citizens.
  House Resolution 334 also directs the Secretary of State to establish 
a ``Countries of Particular Concern'' list to condemn the government of 
Vietnam and other countries for engaging in particularly harsh human 
rights violations. Vietnam's ongoing denial of its citizens' 
fundamental human rights and political liberties is unacceptable.
  I introduced H.R. 334 to mark the 3-year anniversary of the original 
signing of the manifesto and to raise awareness of the Vietnamese 
Communist government's failure to improve its human rights record.
  In May we will honor the 15th anniversary of Vietnam Human Rights 
Day. I urge my colleagues to stand up for human rights and to join me 
in this resolution.

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