US House commission holds hearing on religious persecution in Vietnam
April 04, 2014
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The United States House of Representatives’ Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission has conducted a hearing on religious persecution in Vietnam.
The bipartisan commission, once known as the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, has the mission of promoting human rights.
Among those on the witness list at the March 26 hearing was Father Phan Van Loi, editor-in-chief of “Freedom of Speech” and co-founder of the Association of Former Vietnamese Prisoners of Conscience.
“Vietnam is an authoritarian state ruled by the Communist Party,” said Eric Schwarz, a member of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, in his testimony.
“The Vietnamese government exerts control over religious activities through law and administrative oversight, severely restricts independent religious practice, and represses individuals and religious groups it views as challenging its authority.”
“Ethnic minority converts to Protestantism and Catholicism, in particular, face discrimination, intimidation, and pressure to renounce their faith,” he added.
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Further information:
- Hearing on the Persecution of Religious and Indigenous Communities in Vietnam (House.gov)
- Testimony of Eric P. Schwarz (USCIRF)
- House Committee Holds Hearing On Persecution of Religious Communities In Vietnam (Religion Clause)
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Posted by: [email protected] -
Apr. 05, 2014 1:57 PM ET USA
If this wasn't laughable I would fall over in wonder. We have a U.S. Congressional Commission investigating religious persecution in Vietnam. They badly need to review what is going on in the United States- the land of the free and home of the brave. This Commission is a waste of money and should be shut down.
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Posted by: unum -
Apr. 05, 2014 9:08 AM ET USA
Perhaps Rep. Lantos can also conduct a hearing on religious persecution in the United States by the Obama administration and others.
