Human Rights Groups Furious After Obama’s Big Announcement from Communist Vietnam
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President Obama announced today that the United States will put to pasture a longstanding arms sale embargo with Vietnam, allowing for the sale of high-powered weaponry.
However, in lifting the ban against Vietnam’s ability to buy military-grade arms, many human rights groups are furious that Obama has given up what they consider a last bargaining chip with the country.
The move sends a definitive signal to China, who has had a looming presence in the region, especially the South China Sea. By lifting the embargo, Obama has ostensibly allowed Vietnam the option to better defend itself against intensifying aggression.
Human Rights Watch deputy director Phil Robertson said:
“In one fell swoop, President Obama has jettisoned what remained of U.S. leverage to improve human rights in Vietnam — and (has) basically gotten nothing for it.”
Robertson angrily tweeted what he felt was Obama’s ignorance of Vietnam’s human rights record.
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