Every couple of months, I remind readers here on Dean's World about certain human rights issues big and small. I can't cover everything; I've been remiss in not talking about Rwanda mostly because I haven't had time to learn enough about it. I only talk about the international slave trade now and then. China and Tibet and I don't get to as much as I'd like, and ditto other places. Still, I cover what I can.

One of the smaller cases I've taken interest in is the fate of Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, who remains imprisoned by the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. As he prepared to celebrate Mass on the morning of May 17, 2001, hundreds of police officers appeared at his church and arrested himes. A long-time, outspoken advocate for religious freedom in Vietnam, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison for exercising that fundamental human right.

I have in the past asked Dean's World readers to urge Congress to pass a resolution urging the Vietnamese government to release Father Thadeus, by clicking here. I myself have done so of course, back in March. I'm pleased to say that one of my two Senators, Debbie Stabenow, was kind enough to return my mail yesterday. Her letter was as follows:

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June 23, 2004

Mr. Dean Esmay
xx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx

Thank you . . .

. . for contacting me about your support for the release of Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly. I could not agree with you more.

As you may know, for nearly three decades Father Ly has fought for religious freedom in Vietnam. For his efforts, he has been arrested multiple times, and has already served nine years in prison for actions the Vietnamese government claim undermines national unity. On May 17, 2001, Father Ly was arrested again at An Truyen church in Hue province. His arrest came after Father Ly submitted critical written testimony to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom of Vietnam's religious intolerance.

I am deeply troubled by Father Ly's case. Basic principles like freedom of religion should be cherished in any country. The fact that Father Ly is in prison, because he fights for the freedom to practice religion, runs counter to basic human rights.

Currently, a bill calling for the release of Father Ly (S.Res.311) is pending before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Though I am not a member of this committee, I will be sure to relay your strong views to my colleagues on this committee.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. Please feel free to do so whenever I may be of assistance to you or your family.

Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

--[end letter reprint]--

I have not as yet heard back from my other Seantor, Carl Levin. But as you can see, constituent letters like this do get answered. It may take some time, but they do.

If you'd like to help Father Thadeus, you can still just click here.