It's good to see the House Foreign Affairs Committee paying attention to the outrageous case of Father Nguyen Van Ly, editor of a Vietnamese newspaper who was sentenced to eight years in prison on March 30 for distributing pro-democracy materials. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who authored the resolution calling for human-rights reforms that was approved unanimously by the committee Thursday, had this to say:

"Father Ly's sham trial proves once again that the regime in Hanoi is not committed to the human rights reforms they promised as a precondition for normalized trade relations. It is not enough for the Government of Vietnam to talk reform - they must also show progress through their deeds. Recent government actions show that Vietnam is moving backwards, not forward. This resolution reinforces our unwavering commitment to human rights reform in Vietnam and demands that the regime in Hanoi cease their persecution of dissidents.

"There is no compromise, no halfway point when it comes to basic human rights. We must send a clear message to the Government of Vietnam that there is no place in modern society for their conduct.' "...I have met with Father Ly and a number of other dissidents who are now behind bars or under constant surveillance and harassment in Vietnam. The bullies in Hanoi continue their systematic and brutal politically motivated crackdown on democratic activists and this must end.

"Father Ly's arrest and conviction are purely political, a shameful attempt to silence him and intimidate anyone else who dares to speak out against the government. We have an obligation to speak up for Father Ly and other dissidents who are persecuted in Vietnam. Now that the Committee has spoken through this resolution, it is time for the full House to immediately pass it and give a voice to the dissidents in Vietnam."

Amen, amen.

BACKGROUND: Journalists thrown in prison, threatened with death

ALSO WATCH: Reuters video on the trial of Father Ly