October 16, 2012
Gold River CA- Today Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River) released the following statement commemorating the six month anniversary of Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan being unjustly detained by the Vietnamese government:
“Tomorrow, Oct 17th, marks six months that Dr. Nguyen Quoc Quan has been unjustly held by the Vietnamese government. Dr. Quan, a respected democratic activist from Elk Grove, California, has devoted much of his life promoting peaceful democratic change in Vietnam. This is the second time Dr. Quan has been imprisoned for practicing peaceful dissent and his struggle has helped shed light onto the widespread human rights abuses occurring throughout the country.
“In recent years the government of Vietnam has attracted international condemnation regarding the abuse of national security laws aimed to stamp out freedom of expression and peaceful dissent. Dr. Quan’s story is one reason why I chose to be a cosponsor of H.Res. 484, which calls on the Government of Vietnam to respect human rights and cease abusing vague national security laws.
“Although the U.S. and Vietnam have improved ties due to common strategic interests in the region, we cannot allow this closer relationship to prevent us from maintaining our leadership in promoting universal human rights.”
Congressman Dan Lungren serves as the Chairman of the House Administration Committee in addition to serving on the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees.
Source: Congressman Dan Lungren