Imprisoned Vietnamese Activist Banned from Reading Bible

 

International Christian Concern | 10-13-2020 

Vietnam – Vietnamese activist and veteran Le Dinh Luong, who was arrested on July 24, 2017 for alleged subversion, while serving his 20-year sentence, has been denied the use of Bible and the Catholic calendar.

According to human rights activist Quynh Dao, a member of Amnesty International Australia, Mr. Luong began a hunger strike on October 4 since “The prison limited and even didn’t allow him to use the Bible and the Catholic calendar, violating his religious freedom.”

In addition, the Nam Ha prison environment is toxic, as there have been mining activities nearby which go on day and night. Small particles from burned substance often fly into prison cells. As a result, Mr. Luong’s breathing is obstructed.

He is also banned from using pen and papers, so even though he wants to pen letters of grievance, he is unable to. The prison continues to silence him by snatching the phone from him [during his conversations with his family] whenever he criticizes the treatment he receives at the prison.

Mr. Luong’s family calls on the international community to help Mr. Luong by demanding the prison to respect the rights he is entitled to though incarcerated, and to stop allowing the health of prisoners to deteriorate by taking no action on the continuing mining activities nearby which pollute the water and air of the facilities.