Vietnam: USCIRF Chair Cromartie to testify before Congressional Caucus on Vietnam And Congressional Human Rights Caucus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2005

Contact:
Anne Johnson, Director of Communications, (202) 523-3240, ext. 27

WASHINGTON - U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Michael Cromartie will testify today before a joint members' briefing of the Congressional Caucus on Vietnam and the Congressional Human Rights Caucus to examine the ongoing religious freedom violations in Vietnam. The hearing will be held in the Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2200, from 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Although bilateral relations between the United States and Vietnam have grown steadily in the past few years, the human rights situation in Vietnam remains very poor. The State Department designated Vietnam as a "country of particular concern" (CPC) for its severe violations of religious freedom. Today's briefing is timely because the State Department is deciding currently whether or not to redesignate Vietnam as a CPC. The Commission believes that Vietnam should remain a CPC this year and has made this recommendation to both the Secretary of State and the President.

What: Congressional Caucus on Vietnam and Congressional Human Rights Caucus hearing

When: Wednesday, October 26, 2005, 4:00-5:30 p.m.

Where: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2200

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress.