Ambassador Raymond Burghardt's Remarks on Vietnam Human Rights Day 2003
Human rights are and will continue to be central to the relationship between the United States and Vietnam. Our differences on human rights issues impede the development of an even stronger relationship, and Vietnam's slow progress on human rights hinders its own development as a nation. Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City staff and I discussed human rights with Vietnamese officials on many occasions over the past year and urged both specific and general actions to improve human rights and religious freedom. We also meet, as we are able, with reform activists and religious leaders, regardless of whether the Vietnamese Government recognizes them. The State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor has held maw rounds of a U.S.- Vietnam Dialogue on Human Rights, including a strong emphasis on religious freedom.
This is slow, often frustrating work, as we see Vietnam take some modest steps forward, but also some steps backward, as well. In general, we see a gradual trend in Vietnam towards more openness over the last ten to fifteen years continuing. The recent highly publicized meeting between the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai was a positive development. However, the Vietnamese government still often reacts harshly to people like Dr. Nguyen Dan Que who do nothing more than peacefully call for change. There are Vietnamese who are not allowed to worship freely, and many political prisoners remain detained. We also are working hard to promote the rule of law. Respect for law is advancing -- albeit slowly and unsteadily-- and we hope that will contribute to progress in protection for basic human rights and towards greater transparency.
Now the most serious reports of human rights and religious freedom problems that we receive are from those areas that are the least transparent and most difficult to monitor, such as the Central and Northwest Highlands. We have called on the Government of Vietnam to expand access to these areas for diplomats and international organizations to meet with local religious leaders and house churches. Our aim is for greater openness and respect for human rights throughout Vietnam.
Please accept my best wishes on the occasion of Vietnam Human Rights Day.