OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Calling on Government of Vietnam to Support Citizen Access to Internet

Date: July 24, 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Technology and Communication Foreign Affairs


CALLING ON GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM TO SUPPORT CITIZEN ACCESS TO INTERNET -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 24, 2009)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the number of bloggers and democracy activists who have been imprisoned in Vietnam for distributing their peaceful views over the Internet. The Government of Vietnam continues to restrict websites and blogs that promote democracy, human rights, and speak against the actions of the government.

It has become evident over the past several months that the human rights situation in Vietnam continues to deteriorate. Today, I will be introducing a house resolution calling on the Government of Vietnam to not only release imprisoned bloggers but to also respect the people's right to internet freedom.

This resolution urges the Vietnamese government to support the right of citizens to access websites of their choosing, and to repeal statutes like Circular 07 and Article 88 which restrict the internet in Vietnam. It is time for the Government of Vietnam to become a responsible member of the international community and to respect an individual's freedom of speech, press and political association.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward