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