Dear Senator,
As your constituents, we request your support for the Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007, which has passed the House with overwhelming majority. This bill is critical in light of the brutal crackdown going on in Vietnam against human rights advocates, religious leaders, social justice lawyers, and pro-democracy authors, journalists, and scholars. The picture of Father Nguyen Van Ly being muzzled at his own trial epitomizes Vietnam 's policy of political and religious repression.
This legislation sets benchmarks for the Vietnamese leadership to demonstrate their true intention to improve the human rights conditions and respect religious freedom in order to avoid the freezing of non-humanitarian aid at the current level. The bill also authorizes funding to support the development of civil society and assist human rights defenders.
We look forward to your strong support for those who continue to fight for human dignity against all odds in Vietnam . Please vote for Vietnam Human Rights Act of 2007.
Sincerely,