West OC Times

In light of rising human rights abuses by the Communist Party of Vietnam, Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-45) is calling on U.S. and Thai diplomats to assist in the release of two Vietnamese activists currently jailed for human rights advocacy. Steel represents a large population of Vietnamese Americans in the Little Saigon community of Orange County.

Y Quynh Bdap, a Vietnamese refugee and religious freedom advocate who was arrested by the government of Thailand, is awaiting a July 15 hearing following an extradition request by Vietnam. A Christian Montagnard known for religious freedom advocacy, Y Quynh Bdap would likely face immediate arrest, torture, and lengthy prison time upon arrival in Vietnam.

Steel is requesting that Thailand Ambassador to the U.S. Suriya Chindawongse work to release Y Quynh Bdap and ensure his resettlement to a different country. Steel’s letter to Ambassador Chindawongse can be found here.

“Potential action by Thailand to extradite Y Quynh Bdap back to Vietnam would violate the human rights commitments Thailand has made as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. Agreeing to this unlawful extradition request would not only punish a brave activist but also create uncertainty for the over 2,000 Vietnamese refugees currently in Thailand. It is imperative for the Royal Thai government to release him and work with global allies to ensure his safe resettlement,” said Rep. Steel.

Additionally, Steel is requesting that U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper assist in the release of jailed Vietnamese dissident Nguyen Thuy Hanh, a human rights activist and prisoner of conscience. A former National Assembly candidate, Nguyen Thuy Hanh was arrested three years ago by Vietnamese authorities for raising funds for the families of jailed prisoners of conscience. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy for cervical cancer even amid her sentence at an inhumane detention center.

“Nguyen Thuy Hanh never should’ve been arrested in the first place. But now she is being forced to undergo the twin horrors of an unjust detention and stage 2 cancer, including recovering from chemotherapy sessions in a facility lacking adequate food and water. Such an atrocity is a new low even for Communist Vietnam, and I urge Ambassador Knapper to use his diplomatic capabilities to push for Nguyen Thuy Hanh’s release,” added Rep. Steel.

Steel’s letter to Ambassador Knapper can be found here.

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