Mennonite prisoner Le Thi Hong Lien transferred to mental

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