West OC Times

Congresswoman Michelle Steel has urged President Biden to address human rights abuses in Vietnam during his upcoming meeting with the country's president and ruling Communist Party chief, To Lam. In a letter sent ahead of the Wednesday meeting, Steel highlighted the increasing persecution under To Lam's leadership.

"Regretfully, this week you will be giving the enormous platform of a presidential meeting to Vietnam’s President and ruling Communist Party Chief, To Lam. During your sit down at the UN, it is crucial that you stop paying lip service to human rights and instead directly address the persecution that has defined To Lam’s leadership in Vietnam," wrote Steel.

Steel's letter emphasized several key points for Biden to address during his discussion with To Lam:

- The release of all prisoners of conscience.

- An end to the persecution of Vietnamese human rights defenders, activists, and government critics.

- Respect for all religious minorities and accountability for Vietnamese authorities who imprison individuals based on their religious beliefs.

Steel noted that recent engagement between the Biden-Harris Administration and Vietnam has not curbed the suppression of free speech and religious persecution. She pointed out that before becoming head of state, To Lam served as the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security.

"As the Biden Harris Administration attempts to promote closer ties with Vietnam, To Lam’s rise to power has coincided with a significant increase in human rights abuses by the Vietnamese authorities on its own citizens. This includes scores of human rights activists and independent journalists…who all face lengthy prison sentences for voicing their opinions about the Communist Party of Vietnam," added Steel.

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