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.
Vietnam Human Rights Network |