West OC Times

In new requests to the head of government and foreign minister of Thailand, U.S. Representative Michelle Steel (CA-45) is calling on the Thai government to release imprisoned Vietnamese refugee Y Quynh Bdap out of respect for the rights of religious minorities.

Y Quynh Bdap, a member of the minority Christian Montagnards, is currently awaiting a planned extradition back to Vietnam where he likely faces torture and a long prison sentence. Christian Montagnards have long been persecuted by the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Steel’s letters were addressed to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Joining her in requesting Y Quynh Bdap’s freedom is Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46), who represents a portion of the Little Saigon community of Orange County, as well as Rep. John Moolenaar and Rep. Chris Smith.

“It is essential that the Royal Thai government allow for Vietnamese refugees to seek a third country, especially Y Quynh Bdap and others who face serious threats to their life and freedom if extradited back to the hands of the Communist Party of Vietnam,” wrote Rep. Steel. “The Royal Thai government must immediately release Y Quynh Bdap and work with global allies to ensure he can resettle in a third country.”

In recent weeks Rep. Steel has requested that United States and Thai diplomats assist in Y Quynh Bdap’s release and called for his release on the floor of the U.S. Congress. While Y Quynh Bdap’s extradition hearing in Thailand was recently postponed, his refugee status makes it imperative that the extradition process end and he be allowed to safely seek refuge in a third country.

Steel represents large populations of Vietnamese Americans in the Little Saigon community of Orange County.

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