US embassy cable - 05HOCHIMINHCITY221

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000221 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, SOCI, PREL, PGOV, KIRF, VM, RELFREE, HUMANR 
SUBJECT: Mennonite prisoner Le Thi Hong Lien transferred to mental 
hospital 
 
REF:  A) HCMC 212; B) HCMC 189; C) HCMC 106 and previous 
 
1. (SBU) On March 7, Le Quang Du (strictly protect), father of 
Mennonite prisoner Le Thi Hong Lien, gave us an update on his 
daughter's status following her transfer in mid-February from 
HCMC's Chi Hoa prison to another facility in Binh Phuoc province. 
Du told us that on February 26, he and his son visited Lien in the 
Tong Le Chan prison in Binh Phuoc.  They were allowed to see Lien 
for 10 minutes.  As in other visits, Lien appeared disoriented and 
did not interact with her family.  Her skin was sallow and covered 
with scabies sores.  Her ankles were swollen, Du believed from 
water retention.  During that visit, prison guards reportedly told 
Du that Lien had not eaten from February 17 -- the day she 
apparently was transferred -- to February 23.  Prison guards also 
reportedly told Du that Lien continued to rend her clothing, 
attempted to walk around naked and drank dirty water. 
 
2. (SBU) Du said that, shortly thereafter, two caseworkers visited 
him at home to discuss Lien's medical history, with a particular 
focus on mental health.  In early March, Du was notified that Lien 
was transferred to Bien Hoa mental hospital in neighboring Dong 
Nai province.  Hospital staff encouraged Du to visit, which he did 
on March 5 for 20 minutes.  Du told us that Lien did not recognize 
him and still appeared weak.  He said that Lien was clothed and 
did not show any signs of abuse. 
 
3. (SBU) Du said that he told the attending doctor that he was 
willing to provide the hospital with whatever medicine and 
supplies were needed for his daughter.  The doctor reportedly told 
him that nothing was needed.  Du did not ask the doctor for a 
diagnosis of Lien's condition.  Du added that he has not received 
a response to his letter to the GVN of January 31 (ref B), 
demanding, inter alia, that the case against Lien be dropped.  Du 
will attempt to see his daughter again on March 12; he first needs 
to get permission on Binh Phuoc prison authorities to visit as 
Lien technically still is under prison jurisdiction. 
 
WINNICK