Despite the recent release of famed religious and political dissident, Father Ly, the human rights situation in Vietnam remains bleak.  The State Department’s Human Rights Report on Vietnam for 2009 states that “during the year the government increased its suppression of dissent” and “the government severely restricted freedom of association.”

Additionally, reports indicated that mobs which included undercover police officers and Communist Party officials terrorized and assaulted monks and nuns at Phuoc Hue pagoda in Lam Dong province for three days in December.  Montagnard Christians and Catholics have also come under increased pressure over the past year.  These instances are indicative of a troubling pattern of abuses of human rights and religious freedom.  

To discuss these issues, we will welcome as our witnesses:

Panel I
The Honorable Anh “Joseph” Cao, member of Congress, 2nd District of Louisiana

Panel II
Michael Cromartie, commissioner, US Commission on International Religious Freedom

Y Hin Nie, Montagnard Christians

Sister Dang Nghiem, Deer Park Monastery

Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director, Human Rights Watch

Dr. Binh Nguyen, founding chair, International Protection for Prisoners of Conscience

Dr. Quan Nguyen, director, Internet Radio Broadcasting to Vietnam: Rallying for Democracy

Witness list subject to change.

If you have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Hoffman (Rep. Wolf) or Hans Hogrefe (Rep. McGovern) at 202-225-3599.