Organization: Free Vietnam Alliance
Subject: U.S. Congress Intervene on Behalf of Political Prisoners in Vietnam
Press Release
18 Members of the U.S. Congress Intervene on Behalf of Political Prisoners in Vietnam.
On the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Free Vietnam Alliance launched a campaign to alert the media and elected officials to the plight of 37 political prisoners currently held at the Thanh Hoa and Nam Ha prison camps. The names and condition of the 37 individuals had been released by former political prisoner Pham Van Thanh.
Numerous organizations and government officials have expressed their concern regarding the detainment and treatment of these individuals. On February 4, 1999, 18 members of the U.S. Congress wrote to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright requesting the administration to raise with the Vietnamese government the issue of political prisoners, and, in particular, the cases of the 37 individuals provided by Mr. Pham Van Thanh.
Following is the letter issued by the 18 Members of Congress. The Free Vietnam Alliance calls on human rights organizations and media outlets to help distribute this letter and to continue pressuring the government of Vietnam to end it human rights abuses.
Paris, February 4, 1999
Free Vietnam Alliance
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Congress of the United States
House of representatives
February 4, 1999
The Honorable Madeleine Albright
Secretary of State
Washington, D.C. 20520 - 0001
Dear Madam Secretary,
While the world is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we write to encourage you to raise with Vietnam the continuing imprisonment and torture of political prisoners. We appreciate your past efforts in this regard and are encouraged by the recent release of Dr. Nguyen Dan Que, Professor Doan Viet Hoat, and others. However we must make clear to Vietnamese leaders that progress in human rights is necessary for our relationship to develop fully.
You raised these issues prominently with Vietnamese leaders during your visit last June. We ask that while you continue your general dialogue on human rights with the Vietnamese government, you also raise individual cases when appropriate. Enclosed is a list of thirty-seven political prisoners believed to be held at the Thanh Hoa and nam ha prison camps. Mr. Pham Van Thanh revealed their names and locations after being released from a prison camp himself last November.
Improvement in human rights is critical to Vietnam's integration into the international community and to its efforts toward stability and prosperity. We appreciate the administration's efforts toward this goal and look forward to your response.
Sincerely
Rep. Lloyd Doggett
Rep. John Porter
Rep. Tom Lantos
Rep. Martin Frost
Rep. John B. Larson
Rep. Loretta Sanchez
Rep. Karen McCarthy
Rep. Jerry Weller
Rep. Stephen Horn
Rep. Barbara Cubin
Rep. Luis Gutierrez
Rep. Edward J. Markey
Rep. Neil Abercrombie
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher
Rep. Joe Pitts
Rep. Edward R. Royce
Rep. Michael McNulty
Rep. James McGovern
