VIETNAM SEEKING TO BECOME NON-PERMANENT MEMBER OF

U.N. COUNCIL 

 HON. DANA ROHRABACHER OF CALIFORNIAIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Mr. ROHRABACHER. Madam Speaker, it 

was very disturbing to learn that the Vietnamese dictatorship is seeking to become a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Council when the 62nd session of the U.N. begins to meet this week. Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Thursday. It is great shame that in 2006 the Bush administration’s State Department removed Vietnam from the list of Countries of Particular Concern and gave Vietnam PNTR status, which led to its membership in the WTO. As a result of the Vietnamese dictators achieving everything that they wanted, it was predictable that in early 2007 they would revert to their old tactics. They have again begun broad-scale detention and physical abuse of religious and human rights leaders and the destruction and
confiscation of private property.

 What role can the United States play to align ourselves with the Vietnamese people
who are struggling for their freedom?

 I agree with Ngai Xuan Nguyen, the overseas representative of the Vietnam Democratic Movement, that our Nation must condition its approval for Vietnam’s bid to sit on the Security Council on three requirements:

 (1) A definitive improvement in human rights with the release of all political and religious prisoners.

(2) A dramatic show of progress for freedomof speech, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press.

(3) Allowing multiparties as part of the political process.

E1978 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—Extensions of Remarks September 25, 2007

 Last week when I met with Ngai XuanNguyen he gave me a list of over 100 names of political and religious prisoners. I wish to submit these names to be printed at this point in the RECORD.

 I strongly urge the administration to vigorously pursue these cases. Our country should be a beacon of hope for people who struggle for freedom, democracy and rule of law. Access to cheap Vietnamese labor that will only benefit big business should not be the foundation of our Vietnam policy. The benefits of open markets and free trade will follow free systems. Economic deals with dictators will not lead to the long-term security that we seek from our relations with Asian nations. I am honored to work with people like Ngai Xuan Nguyen and I wish success for all Vietnamese who are struggling for freedom in Vietnam.

 
LIST OF POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS PRISONERS STILL DETAINED

1. Le Van Tinh, People Action Party ofVietnam (PAP), Advisory Board member to
Unified Buddhist Church, arrested 25/01/95, sentenced to 20 years in Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai.

2. Nguyen Tuan Nam, PAP, sentenced to 19 years, Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai Province.

3. Nguyen Van Trai, PAP, sentenced to 16 years, Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai.

4. Tran Cong Minh, PAP, sentenced to 13 years, Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai.

5. Le Dong Phuong, PAP, sentenced to 12years, Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai.

6. Bui Dang Thuy, PAP, sentenced to 18 years, Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai.

7. Nguyen Anh Hao, PAP, sentenced to 13years, Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai.

8. Nguyen Huu Phu, PAP, sentenced to 10 years, Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai.

9. Nguyen Van Hau, PAP, sentenced 8 years, Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai.

10. Vu thi Ngoc An, PAP, sentenced to 8 years, Z30 D prison, Ham Tan.

11. Tran Thi Le Hang, arrested 12/04/07,founder of the United Workers and Farmers Association,  (UWFA) prison camp B5, Dong Nai.

12. Lawyer Tran Quoc Hien, spokesman to

UWFA arrested 12/01/07, sentenced to 5 years, Bo La prison camp, Binh Duong Province.

13. Doan Van Dien, arrested 12/04/07 UWFA, prison camp B5, Dong Nai.

14. Doan Huu Chuong, arrested 12/04/07,

UWFA, prison camp B5, Dong Nai.

15. Nguyen Tan Hoanh, arrested 12/04/07,

chief to UWFA, prison camp B5 Dong Nai, reportedly missing.

16. Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, temporarily detained, not yet tried.

17. Tran Thi Thuy Trang, temporarily detained, not yet tried.

18. Vu Hoang Hai, temporarily detained,

not yet tried

19. Nguyen Ngoc Quang, temporarily detained, not yet tried.

20. Pham Ba Hai, temporarily detained, not

yet tried.

21. Rev. Nguyen Van Ly, Catholic priest,

sentenced to 8 years (Founder of the Bloc

8406).

22. Nguyen Phong, sentenced to 6 years,

Thang Tien Party Progressive Party of Vietnam, PPV), prison camp of Thanh Hoa.

23. Nguyen Binh Thanh, sentenced to 5

years (PPV), prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong

Nai.

24. Lawyer Le Thi Cong Nhan, sentenced 4

nam years (member of the Bloc 8406, spokeswoman to the PPV).

25. Lawyer Nguyen Van Dai sentenced to 5

years (member of the Bloc 8406).

26. Dr. Le Nguyen Sang, sentenced 5 years

(Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party PDP).

27. Lawyer Nguyen Bac Truyen, sentenced

4 years (PDP).

28. Huynh Nguyen Dao, sentenced to 3

years (PDP).

29. Hoang Thi Anh Dao (PPV), probation of 2 years.

30. Luu Van Si, fugitive (UWFA).

31. Truong Quoc Huy, born 22/09/80, arrested 19/610/2005.

32. Ngo Van Ninh 87 years of age, president to Buu Son Ky Huong Buddhist Church, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai province.

33. Nguyen Si Bang, life sentenced in the

Campaign the Red Jacaranda of Hoang Viet

Cuong, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai

province.

34. Pham Xuan Than, life sentenced in the

Campaign the Red Jacaranda of Hoang Viet

Cuong, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai

province.

35. Truong Van Duy, life sentenced, the

Campaign the Red Jacaranda of Hoang Viet

Cuong, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai

province.

36. Le Kim Hung, the Free Vietnam Organization (FVO), prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

37. Ho Long Duc, FVO, sentenced to 20

years, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

38. Nguyen Thanh Van, FVO, prison camp

Xuan Loc, Dong Nai province.

39. Nguyen Van Phuong, FVO, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai province.

40. Nguyen Ngoc Phuong, FVO, prison

camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai province.

41. Nguyen Hoang Giang, FVO, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

42. Nguyen Van Huong, FVO, prison camp

Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

43. Son Nguyen Thanh Dien, FVO, prison

camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

44. Nguyen Minh Man, FVO, prison camp

Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

45. Nguyen Van Minh, FVO, prison camp

Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

46. Huynh Buu Chau, FVO, prison camp

Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

47. Huynh Anh Tu, FVO, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

48. Huynh Anh Tri, FVO, prison camp Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

49. Nguyen Van Than, FVO, prison camp

Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

50. Tran Van Duc, FVO, prison camp Xuan

Loc, Dong Nai.

51. Vo Si Cuong, FVO, prison camp Xuan

Loc, Dong Nai.

52. Ngo Thanh Son, FVO, prison camp

Xuan Loc, Dong Nai.

53. Tran Van Thai, Viet Nam Tu Do, trai

giam Xuan Loc, tinh Dong Nai.

54. Do Thanh Van (tu Nhan), Viet Nam Tu

Do, trai giam Xuan Loc, tinh Dong Nai.

55. Dinh Quang Hai, Viet Nam Tu Do, trai

giam Xuan Loc, tinh Dong Nai.

56. Lam Quang Hai, Viet Nam Tu Do, trai

giam Xuan Loc, tinh Dong Nai.

57. Nguyen Anh Hao, trai giam Xuan Loc,

tinh Dong Nai.

58. To Thanh Hong, Viet Nam Tu Do, trai

giam Xuan Loc, tinh Dong Nai.

59. Mai Xuan Khanh, trai giam Xuan Loc,

tinh Dong Nai.

60. Tran Van Thieng, trai giam Xuan Loc,

tinh Dong Nai.

61. Phan Quoc Dung, trai giam Xuan Loc,

tinh Dong Nai.

62. Nguyen Van Hoa, trai giam Xuan Loc,

tinh Dong Nai.

63. Nguyen Van Chung, trai giam Xuan

Loc, tinh Dong Nai.

64. Nguyen Sinh Nhat, trai giam Xuan Loc,

tinh Dong Nai.

65. Bui Re, trai giam Xuan Loc, tinh Dong

Nai.

66. Nguyen Huu Cau, trai giam Xuan Loc,

tinh Dong Nai.

67. Le Thi Hang (Dang Thang Tien Party)

sentenced to 18 months of probation.

68. Nguyen van Ngoc, Dong Nai, temporarily detained, not yet tried.

69. Ho Thi Bich Khuong, arrested in Nam

Dan district, Nghe an province.

70. Hang Tan Phat, arrested 20/10/06 in Nha Trang.

71. Le Trung Hieu, temporarily detained,

not yet tried.

72. Ngo Luot, victim of unjustly expropriated properties, Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan province, arrested 03/08/07.

 

THE LIST OF MEMBERS OF HOA HAO BUDDHIST

CHURCH IN PRISON

 

1. Bui Tan Nha, executive member of Hoa

Hao Buddhist Church, arrested 13/07/97, life sentenced, Xuan Loc prison camp.

2. Nguyen Van Dien, Resident Monk, ViceChief to UWFA, arrested 05/08/05 sentenced to 7 years, Xuan Loc prison camp.

3. Vo Van Buu, chief to Youth of Hoa HaoBuddhist Church, arrested 05/08/05 sentenced to 6 years, Xuan Loc prison camp.

4. Mai thi Dung, chief of Women Association of Cho Moi district, An Giang province, arrested 05/08/05, sentenced to 5 years, Vinh Long prison camp.

5. Vo Van Thanh Liem, resident monk toQuang Minh Tu, An Giang, arrested 05/08/05, sentenced to 7 years, Xuan Loc prison camp.

6. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Young Men’s Association to Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, Cho Moi District, Giang Province, arrested 05/08/ 05, sentenced to 6 years, Vinh Long prison camp.

7. Nguyen Thi Ha, Member of Women’s Association of Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, Cho Moi district, An Giang province, arrested 05/08/07, sentenced to 5 years, Vinh Long prison camp.

8. To Van Manh, resident believer practicing at home to Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, arrested 05/08/07, sentenced to 6 years, Xuan Loc prison camp.

9. Vo Van Thanh Long, resident believerpractising at home to Hoa Hao Buddhist
Church, arrested 05/08/07, sentenced 5 years, Xuan Loc prison camp.

10. Nguyen Van Thuy, resident Monk, chief of Youth of Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, Vinh Long province, arrested 22/04/06, sentenced to 5 years in prison.

11. Nguyen Van Tho, president to executive board of Hoa Hao Buddhist Church, Dong Thap province, arrested 02/10/06, sentenced 6 years, Dong Thap prison camp.

12. Duong Thi Tron, resident believer ofHoa Hao Buddhist Church (HHBC), arrested 13/10/2006, sentenced to 4 years, Cao Lanh prison camp.