California State Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Santa Ana) issued the following statement regarding Vietnam Human Rights Day:

“I am honored to represent the 34th Senate District, which consists of Little Saigon and a large population of Vietnamese Americans. As Americans, we must lead in advocating for human rights; the rights of which every human being is entitled to without discrimination,” said Umberg. “Vietnam, among other countries who signed on to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has continuously violated its people’s basic rights. Hundreds of Vietnamese peace activists and religious leaders are imprisoned for their advocacy, and families continue to lose their loved ones. On this Vietnam Human Rights Day, I join the Vietnamese American community of Orange County to address the concerns of the Vietnamese community overseas in matters of democracy, human rights, and religious freedom in Vietnam.”