IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1515 
Calling on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to uphold and respect basic 
human rights by releasing three women democracy activists, writer Tran 
Khai Thanh Thuy, attorney Le Thi Cong Nhan, and cyber-activist Pham 
Thanh Nghien. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 14, 2010 
Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California (for herself and Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of 
California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Calling on the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to uphold and 
respect basic human rights by releasing three women 
democracy activists, writer Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, at-
torney Le Thi Cong Nhan, and cyber-activist Pham 
Thanh Nghien. 
Whereas the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
criminalizes freedom of expression and denies citizens 
their right to assemble, associate, and worship freely; 
Whereas the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 
is designated an enemy of the Internet by human rights 
groups and routinely persecutes bloggers and cyber activ-
ists; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:31 Jul 15, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1515.IH
HR1515
smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1515 IH 
Whereas the human rights violations are an impediment to 
Vietnam’s socioeconomic development and deepening of 
United States-Vietnam relations; 
Whereas democracy activist and blogger Tran Khai Thanh 
Thuy was detained for nine months in 2007 for sup-
porting peaceful demonstrations against corruption; 
Whereas according to the United States Embassy in Hanoi, 
Ms. Thuy was beaten and arrested again in October 2009 
after publicly expressing support for democracy activists 
on trial; 
Whereas Ms. Thuy was sentenced to three and a half years 
imprisonment for ‘‘physical assault’’ in February 2010; 
Whereas Ms. Thuy is suffering from diabetes and advanced 
tuberculosis and was not granted appropriate medical 
care; 
Whereas attorney Le Thi Cong Nhan was arrested in March 
2007 after calling for freedom of association and multi- 
party democracy; 
Whereas Ms. Nhan was denied the chance to represent her-
self in court and went on hunger strikes in order to pro-
test poor conditions in prison; 
Whereas, after three years imprisonment, Ms. Nhan is now 
under house arrest for an additional three years and de-
nied her civil rights; 
Whereas Pham Thanh Nghien, a cyber activist who advocated 
on behalf of landless farmers and Vietnamese fishermen 
attacked by the Chinese navy, was detained in spring 
2008 while protesting the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:31 Jul 15, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1515.IH
HR1515
smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1515 IH 
Whereas Ms. Nghien was detained for days without charge 
and was harassed by the security police when she wrote 
an official request to organize a protest; 
Whereas Ms. Nghien was arrested again in September 2008 
and sentenced to four years in prison, followed by three 
years of house arrest; 
Whereas the ‘‘Adopt a Voice of Conscience’’ Campaign was 
launched in the House of Representatives urging Mem-
bers of Congress to be a voice for the voiceless by stand-
ing up for women democracy activists in Vietnam; and 
Whereas it is in the interest of the United States to support 
Vietnamese aspirations for democracy and freedom: Now, 
therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) calls on the President and the Department 
of State to use diplomatic pressure to urge the Gov-
ernment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to up-
hold and respect basic human rights; 
(2) calls on the United States Ambassador to 
Vietnam to visit Tran Khai Thanh Thuy, Le Thi 
Cong Nhan, and Pham Thanh Nghien, ensure their 
personal safety, and help provide for necessary med-
ical attention; and 
(3) calls on the President and Secretary of 
State to directly request the freedom of Tran Khai 
Thanh Thuy, Le Thi Cong Nhan, and Pham Thanh 
Nghien. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
02:31 Jul 15, 2010
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR1515.IH
HR1515
smartinez on DSKB9S0YB1PROD with BILLS