West OC Times

On the eve of Vietnam Human Rights Day, Congressional Vietnam Caucus Co-chairs, Reps. Michelle Steel (R-CA-45) and Lou Correa (D-CA-46), have put forth a resolution condemning the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) for its alleged imprisonment of independent journalists, human rights defenders, religious figures, and dissidents in Vietnam.

Rep. Steel voiced her concern over the CPV's human rights record, stating that it "is unacceptable and demands complete and total condemnation by all people who value freedom and democracy." She shared her experiences meeting with Vietnamese refugees and families of the CPV’s political prisoners, describing their stories as both horrifying and heartbreaking. She further emphasized the need for the United States to remain steadfast in pressuring the CPV to improve its human rights situation.

Joining Rep. Steel in this initiative, Rep. Correa underscored his long-standing commitment to serving Orange County’s Little Saigon—the largest Vietnamese American community in the United States—and his familiarity with the human rights abuses impacting his constituents’ friends and families in Vietnam. He affirmed that they would never cease fighting to hold the Vietnamese government accountable for its severe human rights violations.

Rep. Steel represents parts of Los Angeles County and Orange County, including the Little Saigon community, which boasts the largest population of Vietnamese anywhere outside of Vietnam. Throughout her tenure in Congress, she has consistently worked to support and honor the Vietnamese Community through various initiatives such as authoring “Black April” resolutions annually to commemorate the tragic Fall of Saigon; condemning disrespectful designations like “Jane Fonda Day”; introducing legislation to rename local landmarks; co-chairing Congressional caucuses; meeting with families of journalists and prisoners of conscience in Vietnam; urging Administration officials to take a hard stance on Vietnamese officials violating human rights; introducing bipartisan acts; and calling attention to distressing conditions affecting South Vietnamese soldiers.

The full text of their resolution is available for public viewing.