May 12, 2011 -  Washington, DC- On May 11th,  the 17th annual commemoration of Vietnam Human Rights Day took place on Capitol Hill, highlighting that the fight for human rights in Vietnam is still far from over. The event was sponsored by Senators John Cornyn, Barbara Boxer, Scott Brown, Richard Lugar, and several Congressmen including Frank Wolf and Chris Smith. The event kicked off with the singing of the U.S. and Vietnamese national anthems, as well as a moment of silence for the victims of human rights abuse.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Thieu Do noted that the recent detention of over 20 political activists by Vietnam’s communist government and the onset of China’s worst crackdown in two decades shows just how much these communist regimes fear real democracy. Rep. Frank Wolf stressed that despite the ongoing call for human rights in Vietnam, conditions are not improving, but are in fact worsening. He referred to the U.S. State Department 2010 Vietnam Human Rights Report, which detailed the deteriorating situation, and called on Vietnamese people inside and outside Vietnam to take a stronger stand- both at the grassroots level, and in Congress.

Representatives of numerous human rights organizations made statements, including Laogai Research Foundation’s executive director, Harry Wu. “Looking back at history,” he said, “we can see clearly that the Soviet Union was destined to collapse…who knows about another 17 years from now? Hopefully communism will not exist.” He expressed his sympathy for Vietnam’s victims and his support for the defenders of human rights both inside and outside Vietnam. He shared his hopes that some day people who have fled the oppression of communist regimes will some day be able to return to their home countries and be free.

Vietnam Human Rights Day was established by the House & Senate Joint Resolution SJ168, introduced by Former Senator Charles Robb and Former Congresswoman Leslie Byrne. Since President Clinton signed the resolution into public law in 1994, May 11th has been designated a day of commemoration and support for Vietnam’s human rights movement. LRF sends a special thanks to the Vietnam Human Rights Day Organizing Committee for helping to make this year's gathering a success.
 

See more photos from the event below.