Week Ending May 14

TheWeekInCongress.com

Week Ending May 14, 2004

House Concurrent Resolution 378

BRIEF

The bill calls on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Father Thaddeus Nguyen Van Ly.

Father Ly, a Roman Catholic priest was formally invited in 2001 to testify before the US Commission on International Religious Freedom but was not allowed to leave the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. He submitted a written testimony that criticized Vietnam.

He wrote that Vietnam has taken extremely cruel action against religious freedom and that the situation requires a ‘non-violent and persistent campaign’ for full religious freedom.

Father Ly remains detained, now branded a traitor for slandering the Communist party and distorting the religious policy of Vietnam. His freedom to carry on religious responsibilities and functions. Finally he was removed from his church.

‘The Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Court convicted Father Ly of all charges after a one day, closed trial, without the benefit of counsel and sentenced him to two years in prison for violating the terms of his administrative detention, thirteen years in prison for `damaging the Government's unity policy', and 5 years of administrative probation upon release from prison’. After the US and other countries protested his sentence was reduced by 5 years.

His nephews Nguyen Vu Viet, and Nguyen Truc Cuong, and his niece Nguyen Thi Hoa, were arrested for allegedly being in contact and receiving support from organizations in the United States concerning the religious situation in Vietnam and disseminating information concerning the detention of Father Ly. Consequently, Congress believes its’ concerns have helped the nephews and niece to be released soon.

Whereas after their cases generated much concern in Congress, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Nguyen Vu Viet and Nguyen Truc Cuong all have been or are expected to be released shortly;

Whereas on November 27, 2003, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued Opinion No. 20/2003 stating `the Group is convinced that [Father Ly] has been arrested and detained only for his opinions . . . [and] the deprivation of the liberty of Father Thaddeus Nguyen Van Ly is arbitrary, as being in contravention of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights'.

Congress condemns and deplores the arbitrary detention of Father Thaddeus Nguyen Van Ly by the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and calls for his immediate and unconditional release, the violations of freedom of speech, religion, movement, association, and the lack of due process afforded to individuals in Vietnam.

Congress strongly urges the Government of Vietnam to consider the implications of its actions for the broader relationship between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, including the impact on trade relations;

Congress urges the Government of Vietnam to allow unfettered access to the Central Highlands by foreign diplomats, the international press, and nongovernmental organizations; and condemns the extent of the violence used against Montagnard protesters on April 10 and 11, 2004, and the use of any violence against peaceful protests and demonstrations.

Congress concludes that the US should make father Ly’s release a top priority, continue to urge Vietnam to comply with international standards for basic freedoms and human rights.

Sponsor: Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ)

Vote: (RC 167)