I rise today to call attention to the human rights situation in Vietnam, particularly because today Vietnam will be taking over the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council. I find this development shocking and appalling and unacceptable, especially when we look at Vietnam's human rights record.

Just this past Sunday, the police in Vietnam assaulted over 130 monks and removed them from the Bat Nha Monastery before destroying it. Recently, eight dissidents where imprisoned by the Vietnamese Government for practicing their rights to freedom of speech and expression.

Today, Secretary of State Clinton is planning to meet with the Foreign Minister of Vietnam. I would urge Secretary Clinton to address these ongoing human rights violations in Vietnam and to strongly urge the Government of Vietnam to uphold their promises to respect the rights of their citizens.

The United States must recommit itself to making human rights a diplomatic priority.