FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Toni Wehman, (202) 225-3072
May 4, 2001
"I am outraged to hear reports of increased arrests by the Vietnamese government of religious leaders. Reuters News reports that the Vietnamese government has again targeted Father Nguyen Van Ly of the Roman Catholic Church in Vietnam, and the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang and the Venerable Thich Quang Do of the United Buddhist Church of Vietnam."
"Only yesterday, I co-chaired a bi-partisan investigation into religious persecution in Vietnam. One of the honored witnesses, Father Nguyen Van Ly, sent a written statement from Vietnam on the suppression of the Roman Catholic Church. Yesterday he was arrested for handing out leaflets at a religious service yesterday in Hue, Vietnam. The government has denounced him as a traitor for distributing ‘anti-communist propaganda.’"
"This disturbing event coincided with the police interrogation of a dissident Buddhist monk, Thich Quang Do, who had been asking for the release of the Buddhist church leader, Thich Huyen Quang. Mr. Quang has been in prison for 19 years for his religious activities. The International Buddhist Information Bureau has reported that the Vietnamese police warn of a ‘CIA plot’ to kill Mr. Do. The IBIB fears that this warning indicates a possible Vietnamese governmental assassination plot and cover-up."
"These recent incidents indicate an increased crack-down of religious freedom in Vietnam. It underscores the importance of yesterday’s hearing. I call on Secretary of State Colin Powell to investigate this matter immediately and to put diplomatic pressure on the government of Vietnam to free these brave religious leaders."
"As we enter into trade talks with Vietnam, the government must ensure the basic human rights of the Vietnamese people. Vietnam must allow the basic human right of free and open religious expression."
The following is a poignant statement from Father Ly’s written testimony submitted yesterday.
"In my case, on the side road leading to An Truyen church, there’s a sign that says, in English and Vietnamese; Restricted Area-No Trespassing. Not only am I not allowed to leave the territory, but anyone walking by would be questioned, examined, investigated, or even arrested. On the eve of April 9, 2001, Congressman Lars Rise of Norway stopped by to visit me and he was arrested. He was later deported ... After 50 years under the rule of communists, I would be the first to scratch out the words ‘independence, liberty, happiness’ and replace them with ‘lack of independence, no liberty, and unhappiness’ on all stationery."