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Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 484. I am proud to cosponsor this important resolution introduced by my good friend, fellow Californian, and co-chair of the Vietnam Caucus, Representative Loretta Sanchez. This resolution calls on the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to respect basic human rights and to stop abusing vague national security provisions such as articles 79 and 88 of the Vietnamese penal code, articles which are frequently cited as the justification for the arrest and detention of citizens who peacefully advocate for religious and political freedom.

The use of these draconian laws to silence opposition and maintain one-party control is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and to speak out for the activists whose voices have been silenced by the repressive regime in Vietnam.

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