West OC Times

Congresswoman Michelle Steel (CA-45) has urged Columbia University to cancel an event featuring To Lam, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The event is scheduled for tomorrow, with Lam set to headline.

In a letter addressed to Columbia University, Steel criticized Lam's leadership in Vietnam, accusing him of severe human rights abuses. She highlighted that under his leadership, Vietnam has intensified its repression of free expression and detained numerous prisoners of conscience. These actions are part of a broader crackdown on dissent from journalists, activists, and individuals practicing their faith.

“To Lam is a dangerous authoritarian who has stifled free expression and taken many prisoners of conscience in Vietnam. Columbia must reverse course and refuse to grant legitimacy to someone who jails his own citizens simply for speaking their mind,” said Rep. Michelle Steel, who represents a significant Vietnamese American community in Orange County, CA.

Steel further argued that hosting Lam contradicts Columbia's purported commitment to free speech and expression. “Columbia cannot claim to foster a campus environment of free speech and expression while hosting one of the most prominent leaders of authoritarianism. Going forward with hosting To Lam would unfortunately signal more of the same from an institution that has too often identified itself with civil rights while disregarding the circumstances of those most affected," she added.

To Lam recently became Vietnam’s head of state and will be in New York for a United Nations General Assembly meeting before traveling to Cuba. His history includes suppressing free speech during his tenure as Vietnam's Minister of Public Security.

Steel's letter emphasized that since assuming his current role, Lam has continued policies similar to those of the Chinese Communist Party, leading to over 170 prisoners of conscience being detained in Vietnam. These prisoners face long sentences, solitary confinement, unfair trials, forced labor, and restrictions on religious practices. Some have died due to unspecified medical issues while serving life sentences.

The letter also mentioned recent cases such as Phan Van Bach, an independent journalist sentenced for “distributing anti-state propaganda” after criticizing the Communist Party on social media platforms. Additionally, noodle vendor Bui Tuan Lam was jailed last year on similar charges after posting videos online that were deemed detrimental to public confidence in state leadership.

Steel concluded her letter by calling on Columbia University to reconsider its stance towards the Communist Party of Vietnam and rescind its invitation to To Lam.

Rep. Steel represents parts of Los Angeles County and Orange County, including Little Saigon which hosts the largest Vietnamese population outside Vietnam.

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