Rep. Lofgren Votes for Resolution Calling on Vietnam to Release Political Prisoners

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose) today voted in favor of passing H.R. 243, calling on the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to immediately and unconditionally release Father Nguyen Van Ly, Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thi Cong Nhan, and other political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.

“I am deeply concerned about the government of Vietnam’s human rights record and its detention of political prisoners,” noted Rep. Zoe Lofgren. The United States of America has a long and honorable tradition advocating freedom and human rights throughout the world. We should make no exception for Vietnam. Today I joined with my colleagues in Congress in sending a strong message to the Vietnamese government. The Vietnamese Government will be held accountable for its actions.”

In the last two months, Rep. Lofgren has twice written letters to Secretary of State Rice outlining her concerns with Vietnam’s human rights record and calling for Vietnam’s return to the State Department’s list of Countries of Particular Concern (CPC).

Both letters are available at: http://www.house.gov/lofgren/

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren is serving her seventh term in Congress representing most of the City of San Jose and Santa Clara County. She serves as Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. She also Chairs the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections and serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. Congresswoman Lofgren is Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation consisting of 34 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from California.