MFA on Some Detained/Imprisoned Activists

UNCLAS HANOI 000637

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/BCLTV, DRL, DRL/PHD, and DRL/IRF

E.O. 12958: NA
TAGS: PHUM PGOV VM HUMANR
SUBJECT: MFA on Some Detained/Imprisoned Activists



1. (U) MFA International Organizations department expert
Hong Bich Lien confirmed to poloff on March 13 that Nguyen
Vu Viet, Nguyen Truc Cuong, and Nguyen Thi Hoa, whom reports
have described as nephews and niece of Father Nguyen Van Ly,
have been arrested and are under investigation. They will
reportedly be brought to trial on charges related to
destroying public offices and public vehicles. This account
contradicts reports from an activist group that the three
were convicted of espionage on October 24, 2002.


2. (U) Ms. Lien assured poloff that Le Chi Quang,
currently serving a four year sentence, is receiving
treatment for his liver condition, including weekly checkups
in the prison clinic and required prescription medicine.
Lien denied reports that Quang was not taking his medicine
because he did not know what it was. She also insisted that
Quang had access to adequate sanitary facilities and did not
have to relieve himself in a bucket.


3. (U) Poloff followed up on September and November 2002
inquiries about reported Father Nguyen Van Ly follower,
Hoang Trang Dung, but Ms. Lien indicated that she had no
information about him or Father Ly himself.


4. (U) Poloff asked for any new information on the other
persons of concern raised at the last U.S.-Vietnam Human
Rights Dialogue and furnished Ms. Lien another copy of the
list. Ms. Lien scanned the list, but had no updates.
Poloff and Ms. Lien agreed to follow up on the list in early
May after Lien returns from the 59th UNHRC.
PORTER