Issue Position: Democracy and Human Rights

Issue Position

Loretta firmly believes that American foreign policy should be based on our bedrock values of democracy and human rights, and has fought hard to make sure that Congress and the Administration stick with those values.

Nowhere is this more evident than in Loretta's work as a champion of religious freedom and free speech in Vietnam. In the face of strong opposition by those who want to trade and give aid to Vietnam, Loretta has spoken out against the persecution of Vietnamese leaders in religious freedom, such as Father Ly, Thich Huyen Do, and Pastor Quang, and democracy activists, Dr. Nguyen Dan Que and Pham Ham Song. Loretta has called on Vietnam to release its prisoners of conscience. She has also introduced a resolution in Congress to safeguard and return religious property in Vietnam.

For her work, Loretta has been criticized and discriminated against by the Vietnamese government - most recently they rejected her application for a visa because of her outspoken support for dissidents.

Loretta believes that the United States should champion the interests of the oppressed in every country that we have dealings with. She has opposed trade deals because they did not include sufficient protections for workers. She has insisted that women be adequately represented in Afghanistan and in Iraq. And she has supported democracy advocates wherever the face tyranny and oppressive rule. This is the American way, and Loretta believes strongly that it is the right way.

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