Cablegate: Dissident Bui Kim Thanh to Be Released Soon?

VZCZCXRO4717
PP RUEHHM
DE RUEHHM #0625 1650455
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 140455Z JUN 07
FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2738
INFO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 1959
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 2937

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000625

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL SOCI VM
SUBJECT: DISSIDENT BUI KIM THANH TO BE RELEASED SOON?

REF: HCMC 221 AND PREVIOUS

1. (SBU) On June 13 and 14, we spoke separately by phone with
two relatives of Bui Kim Thanh, the HCMC land rights activist
who has been involuntarily confined to a mental institution
since November 2006. Her relatives said that, during a visit to
the hospital in early June, Thanh reported that the Bien Hoa
Mental Hospital had sent a letter to HCMC Prosecutors office
requesting that they authorize her medical reexamination. The
hospital noted that she had made "good progress." Thanh and the
family members believe that after the reexamination she will be
released.

2. (SBU) Comment: To date, the HCMC Prosecutor's office --
which formally ordered Thanh to be involuntarily committed --
has not responded to the Hospital's request for reexamination.
We are keeping in close touch with the family on possible
progress in the case. We will press HCMC authorities to push
the Prosecutor's office to act should it drag its feet on making
a decision in this case. End Comment.

WINNICK

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