Cablegate: Mennonite Prisoner Le Thi Hong Lien Transferred to Mental

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

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

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