Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
A young Mennonite teacher who was imprisoned here last June is reportedly suffering from severe mental illness in prison. She has been designated a "prisoner of conscience" by Amnesty International.
Le Thi Hong Lien, 21, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for "resisting a person performing official duty." In recent months, her health has deteriorated and she is apparently receiving no treatment.
Prison officials have reportedly resorted to tying her hands and feet to the bed, saying that they do not have the means to care for inmates with such severe illness. She has also been beaten in prison.
Lien had participated in demonstrations against the government's religious policies, along with other Mennonite leaders. She has been arrested before and was hospitalized in 2002 after being badly beaten by police.
Amnesty is urging action on her behalf. Supporters can send appeals to: His Excellency Phan Van Khai, Office of the Prime Minister, Hoang Hoa Tham, Ha Noi, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Faxes can be sent to: + 844 823 4137/199 2682 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the attention of the prime minister).-From Amnesty release
Court will hear appeals
Vietnamese Ministries reports that the Supreme Court in Ho Chi Minh City will hear the appeals of two Mennonite church leaders on February 2. Nguyen Hong Quang and Pham Ngoc Thach, sentenced last November, have been serving prison terms of three years and two years, respectively. Two Mennonite leaders have been released.
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