Ngo Hao

April 2021:

Longtime post-war prisoner and political prisoner Ngo Hao, 73, and his wife Thi Kim Lan, were allowed to emigrate to Finland on April 4. In January of 2020, he was given a temporary suspension of his sentence due to poor health, and after a campaign by international advocates and the government of Finland, he was finally released and expelled from the country.

January 2020:

Authorities temporarily suspended the prison sentence of political prisoner Ngo Hao so that he can receive medical treatment. The sentence was suspended for one year. Hao is suffering from uncontrolled high blood pressure and eye ailments. Hoa is seven years into his 15-year prison sentence. This was not the first time his family had petitioned for medical assistance. In January 2019, Hao had a stroke in prison, and the authorities failed to notify his family. His wife's request to take him for treatment was denied. Hao also had a stroke three years prior to that. Also in January 2019, he was unable to see out of one of his eyes, while the other's vision was reduced by 40%. In late 2019, two political prisoners died while in prison due to apparent health issues-- Dao Quang Thuc from an alleged brain hemorrhage and lung infection and Doan Dinh Nam from kidney failure. Lack of access to medical treatment is often a significant factor in political prisoners' lives and can prolong suffering, resulting in cruel and inhumane treatment, and even death.