Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, announced that on Wednesday, July 9, the Committee will convene a hearing to examine human rights in Southeast Asia.  The hearing, entitled “Spotlighting Human Rights in Southeast Asia,” will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Chairman Royce on the hearing:  "The right to freedom of religion, speech, and assembly are treasured universal rights. Unfortunately, many countries across Southeast Asia deny their citizens these rights, often cracking down severely on those who express any form of dissatisfaction with their government.  In Vietnam, those that choose to speak out against the one-party communist government are often imprisoned or beaten.  In Burma, Rohingya Muslims and other minorities continue to face unprecedented state-sponsored discrimination that has resulted in widespread violence, death, and other forms of abuses.   Hun Sen has stolen another election in Cambodia, refusing to recognize the will of his country for a new government.  This hearing will examine this too-common abuse of human rights in Southeast Asia and explore how the United States can do a better job bringing about positive change.”

What:

Hearing:  Spotlighting Human Rights in Southeast Asia

 

When:

10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9

 

Where:

2172 Rayburn House Office Building

 

Witnesses:

 

The Honorable Lorne W. Craner

President Emeritus
The International Republican Institute

(Former Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State)

 

The Honorable Tom Andrews

President and Chief Executive Officer

United to End Genocide

(Former United States Representative)

 

Ms. Janet Nguyen

Supervisor, First District

Orange County Board of Supervisors

 

Thang D. Nguyen, Ph.D.

Executive Director

Boat People SOS

 

***See foreignaffairs.house.gov for updates.

***Coverage note:  All Foreign Affairs Committee proceedings are webcast live at foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed.

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