January 2006

Congressperson _______________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515


Dear Honorable ______________

We urge you to support H. Con. Res 320, which calls on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Dr. Pham Hong Son and other political prisoners of conscience.

In March 2002, Dr. Pham Hong Son was arrested after he had translated an article entitled “What is Democracy?” from the Web site of the United States Embassy in Vietnam and sent it to both friends and senior party officials.

On August 26, 2003 The Vietnamese Supreme Court sentenced Dr. Pham to five years in prison to be followed by six years of house arrest.

Vietnam has imprisoned, detained, placed under house arrest, or otherwise restricted numerous other peaceful democratic and religious activists for reasons related to their political or religious views, such as Do Van My, Mai Thi Dung, Nguyen Khac Toan, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Nguyen Thi Ha, Nguyen Van Dien, Nguyen Vu Binh, Phan Van Ban, To Van Manh, Vo Van Buu, Vo Van Thanh Liem (Nam Liem), Bui Thien Hue, Nguyen Lap Ma, Nguyen Nhat Thong, Nguyen Van Ly, Phan Van Loi, Thich Dong Tho, Thich Huyen Quang, Thich Nguyen Ly, Thich Nguyen Vuong, Thich Phuoc An, Thich Quang Do, Thich Tam Lien, Thich Thai Hoa, Thich Thanh Huyen, Thich Tien Hanh, Thich Tue Sy, Thich Vien Dinh, Ngo Van Ninh, Le Van Chuong, Le Van Tinh, Phuong Van Kiem, Nguyen Van Si, Tran Van Thien and Thich Thien Tam.

H. Con. Res. 320 will send a strong message of concern from the United States to Vietnam. As Vietnam tries to join the World Trade Organization, its government should demonstrate their willingness to abide by international standards on human rights. Please support the passage of this resolution.

We truly appreciate your concern and your help.

Sincerely,