Representative Tran Urges Release of Vietnamese Journalist Le Huu Minh Tuan on Fifth Anniversary of Imprisonment

Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) issued a statement recognizing five years since Le Huu Minh Tuan, a Vietnamese journalist and activist, was imprisoned by Vietnamese authorities for expressing opposition to human rights violations committed by the communist government.

"This week marks five years since Le Huu Minh Tuan was wrongfully imprisoned for having the courage to stand up against Vietnam's brutal human rights abuses. For five years, he has been living under abysmal conditions, subjected to relentless harassment and intimidation by Vietnamese authorities, and repeatedly denied necessary medical care. This treatment is unacceptable, but unfortunately, it is not unique. Thousands of prisoners of conscience, in Vietnam and across the globe, face similar horrors," said Representative Tran."America is the beacon of freedom, democracy, and unwavering commitment to upholding human rights. It's our responsibility to unequivocally defend the right to free expression and call out human rights abuses around the world. I urge the Trump Administration and my colleagues in Congress to join me in pushing for the immediate release of Le Huu Minh Tuan and prisoners of conscience everywhere."

Vietnam's government has an abhorrent human rights record, particularly its treatment of political dissent. Le Huu Minh Tuan was imprisoned in January of 2021 without due process and sentenced to 11 years under dubious charges.

Representative Tran has fiercely advocated for Le Huu Minh Tuan's immediate release, including in a recent letterto the Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States, urging accountability for Mr. Tuan's wrongful imprisonment. Tran serves as Mr. Tuan's official sponsorthrough the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project, which formally allows Members of Congress to shine a light on prisoners of conscience across the world and urges accountability for unjust treatment. As his sponsor, Representative Tran wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubiorequesting immediate assistance in ensuring Le Huu Minh Tuan's freedom.

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California's 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.