Religious believers around the world often suffer egregious abuses, including beatings, torture, extended incarceration, and even death, at the hands of their government, unless their leaders intervene. As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to highlight the ongoing repression against religion in Vietnam and the plight of many clergy members and lay leaders who are being detained because of their faith. Reports show that the Hoa Hao Buddhist Church continues to be suppressed. All religious activities and ceremonies are prohibited, assembly of more than three persons is forbidden, and all assets and properties are still being confiscated.
Religious expression is a fundamental right of all people.
Both here and abroad, I believe that we should do all we can to affirm this principle. For too long, imprisoned people of faith have been forgotten. With Members of Congress adopting prisoners of conscience, we can successfully advocate for religious prisoners suffering persecution at the hands of the Vietnamese government. I adopted Mr. Tran Huu Duyen and Mr. Nam Liem to raise awareness among U.S. decision makers and the public about religious repression in Communist Vietnam. Mr. Liem is a 58 year-old Hoa Hao Buddhist priest who practiced his religion at a small family temple in Vietnam.