California’s 39th district representative , 1133 Longworth Building, Washington, D.C. http://www.house.gov/royce

For Immediate Release Bryan Wilkes

September 6, 2001 (202) 225-4111

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-39) today said Vietnam must make progress in human rights as he voted for the Vietnam Human Rights Act [H.R. 2833]. The bill passed the full House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Royce, a senior member of the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, has been a strong supporter of the legislation.

"I had the opportunity to travel to Vietnam last year, where I met with the Most Venerable Thich Quang Do, Executive President of the Unified Buddhist Church, and other Vietnamese dissidents. Many brave Vietnamese are standing against tyranny, some of the worst political and religious persecution in the world. The Communist Party of Vietnam tries to crush any independent centers of power. This is wrong and we must speak out," Royce said.

If signed into law, this legislation would help monitor human rights in Vietnam, make human rights a condition for providing non-humanitarian aid to Vietnam, authorize assistance to democratic forces in Vietnam, and provide additional funding for Radio Free Asia to overcome jamming efforts by the communist government.

"I'm afraid that we as a nation have been tepid when it comes to challenging human rights abuses in Vietnam. Our last Ambassador in Vietnam even went so far as to say, ‘I don't hear anyone reporting problems here. Vietnam by any standard has to be rated a success.’ By no standard is Vietnam a success. Just ask those who were forced to flee their country. Just ask those persecuted because of their religious beliefs. Just ask the Montagnards in the hills of Vietnam. And just ask those who want freedom of speech," Royce said.

Royce, a long-time supporter of Radio Free Asia, praised provisions in the Vietnam Human Rights Act that beefs up the radio service that is heard in Vietnam.

"I am particularly encouraged by the Radio Free Asia provisions in this bill. Radio Free Asia will now be better able to bring objective news – the truth – to the Vietnamese people. The spread of democratic values in Asia is critical to U.S. security interests. Radio Free Asia is a large step forward in the right direction. We know that these broadcasts are effective because the Vietnamese government spends so much energy trying to block them," he said.

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