[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CALLING ON VIETNAM TO RELEASE IMPRISONED BLOGGERS AND RESPECT INTERNET 
                                FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 21, 2009

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I extend my strong support to H. 
Res. 672, which calls on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to release 
imprisoned bloggers and respect Internet freedom.
  Since 2002, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has enforced heavy 
surveillance of the internet activity of Vietnamese citizens. The U.S. 
Congress is aware that a number of internet bloggers and cyber 
activists have recently been arrested and imprisoned for exercising 
their inherent human right of freedom of expression. This matter, among 
others, is of grave concern to me, and more importantly, to the 
thousands of Vietnamese Americans that I represent.
  Reporters Without Borders considers Vietnam one of 15 ``internet 
enemies'' and the OpenNet Initiative, a project of academic 
institutions including the University of Toronto, Oxford, Cambridge, 
and Harvard Universities, classifies Vietnam's online political 
censorship to be ``pervasive.'' In fact, an electronic communications 
decree issued by the Vietnamese government, that came into force in 
September 2008, states ``opposition to the Republic of Vietnam is 
forbidden.''
  The freedom of expression, including the freedom to express one's 
views on the internet, is a necessary prerequisite for a healthy and 
vigorous democracy. Without free and open debate where citizens need 
not fear retaliation by government for the opinions they hold, a 
country foregoes the opportunity to harness the full capability of its 
citizens to advance social and economic development.
  Along with my friend from California, Ms. Sanchez, I call on Vietnam 
to respect Internet freedom and allow the people of Vietnam to freely 
express their views. Moreover, I call upon Vietnam to immediately 
release imprisoned bloggers and political prisoners. To the Vietnamese 
government, the message we send today is that the United States will 
embrace you, but only when you embrace the inherent rights and freedoms 
of your people.

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