Chairman Smith on the hearing: “A growing U.S.-Vietnam partnership does not mean the Vietnamese government should get a free pass on human rights.  Religious freedom, internet freedom, freedom of expression, independent labor unions, and the rule of law are desired by the Vietnamese people and are critical to U.S. efforts to establish a free and open Indo-Pacific region. They should be at the center of bilateral relations.”

Witnesses

The Honorable Joseph Cao
Former Member of Congress
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Nguyen Dinh Thang, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Boat People SOS
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

“Anthony Le” (an alias)
Spokesperson
Brotherhood for Democracy
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

Ms. Dinah PoKempner
General Counsel
Human Rights Watch
[full text of statement]
[truth in testimony form]

____________________________

Hearing transcript (PDF)