Christian Prisoner Transferred to Mental Hospital

Le Thi Hong Lien
After concerted pressure on the Vietnamese government from within the country and internationally to provide adequate treatment for a Christian prisoner suffering from a mental breakdown, we are now able to report that Le Thi Hong Lien was transferred to the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital on February 28.  Ms. Lien still has not been officially transferred to the Bien Hoa Mental Hospital, though she has been there for a month.  She still has guards from the distant Tong Le Chan Prison.  Her parents still must use their Tong Le Chan Prison visitation papers to visit.

Despite this move, her family remains concerned, as it appears that she is still not receiving the treatment that she needs.  According to a press release from the World Mennonite Conference, her father, Le Quang Du, visited her on March 12.  Lien's feet were swollen and her face was covered with a skin infection.  Writing the next day, he said, "… nothing has changed; her health situation is not improving, and her mental health is in no way restored…. It is irrational for them to say my daughter understands what is going on.  In reality, sitting opposite her, I finally came to realize that they do not have the ability to cure my daughter."  The Voice of the Martyrs has received a report from Le Quang Du's visits with his daughter last week in which he describes the inhuman treatment his daughter continues to face.  To read a translation of this report, click here.

Lien's Father, Le Quang Du
Lein was arrested on March 2, 2004 along with five other Christians.  In November she was sentenced to one year in prison.  While in custody, she was suffered unimaginable torture and abuse resulting in her mental breakdown.

Pray for healing for Lien and strength for her family during this difficult time.  Pray that the authorities will release her, so that she can receive adequate treatment. 

We encourage people around the world to intercede on behalf of Lien and other Christians imprisoned in Vietnam.  An "Advocate's Pack" has been prepared to provide information and addresses to assist you in intervening on their behalf.  This pack, along with more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, is available online.   The April 2005 edition of VOM's free monthly newsletter will feature the plight of Lien and the others arrested with her.  Subscribe today to receive this edition. Click here for more information.

  • Current Ministry Project

    By helping to provide solid Biblical teaching and training uniquely suited to the needs of a specific tribal group, VOMC is able to equip members of Vietnam’s persecuted church to stand firm in their faith and reach out to others in their communities with the powerful message of the Gospel.

    Project Fund: Underground Church

  • Country Information

    Population
    104,799,174 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Kinh [Viet] (85.3), Tay (1.9), Thai (1.9), Muong (1.5), Khmer (1.5), Mong (1.4), Nung (1.1), Hoa (1), others (5.5)

    Religion (%)
    Catholic (6.1), Buddhist (7.9), Protestant (1), Other (0.8) none (86.3%)

    Leader
    President To Lam (May 2024)

    Government type
    Communist state

    Legal system
    Civil law system

    Source: CIA World Factbook

    Pray for Vietnam

    We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.

  • Pray for Vietnam
    We can thank the Lord for the tremendous witnessing efforts and steadfast faith demonstrated by the persecuted Christians of Vietnam. May they not be intimidated by governmental stipulations but rather encouraged to stand firm on the promises of God – relying on Him for the wisdom, diplomacy and favour required to deal appropriately with the authorities. Pray for radical changes to take place in the hearts of the country’s leaders, especially those who are responsible for implementing and administering Vietnam's laws, so that the work of the Gospel will continue to thrive.

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Vietnam News

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    A prison is in an open area next to mountains in Vietnam.
    A prison in Vietnam
    Photo: VOMC
     

    Human rights organizations around the world are raising concerns about the fate of 11 Christian prisoners in Vietnam. The Christian men were all sentenced to prison at different times between 2011 and 2016. It has recently come to light that their whereabouts remain a mystery, and that the believers who should have completed their sentences by now were not yet released to return home.

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    Pray that believers in Vietnam will remain faithful to Christ.
    Photo: VOMC

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    Flags of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the nation of Vietnam are flying together.
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    Photo: Wikipedia / Vuong Tri Binh (cc)

    With the release of Decree 95, which took effect on March 30th, Vietnamese governing officials declared that the new regulations they were instituting would ensure freedom of belief for all people within the country, enhancing the responsibilities of individual agencies and organizations. The decree expands on the "Law on Belief and Religion" that was implemented in 2018, which outlines additional policies and procedures regulating religious activities in Vietnam.

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    A prison in Vietnam.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Tycho (cc)

    Vietnamese police detained three members of an independent house church on March 6th. After being held for three days, the detained Christian men were eventually released. Although the three believers are from Dak Lak province, they had been arrested while working for a furniture manufacturer in Dong Xoai, which is located several hours away from their hometown.

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