E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.1 Page 96 459. She was arrested in June 2004 along with a number of other members of the Mennonite community, and was sentenced on 12 November 2004 to 12 months in prison on charges of “resisting a person performing official duty”. These charges reportedly arose from her collaboration with Reverend Nguyen Hong Quang (who was the subject of a communication sent on 25 November 2004), General Secretary of the Mennonite Church in Ho Chi Minh City and an activist, who defended land rights cases of impoverished farmers. It was reported that during her imprisonment she was beaten by prison guards, suffering particularly serious beating by a guard escorting her to and from her trial. 460. In view of the allegations of ill-treatment and denial of appropriate medical treatment, concern was expressed for her physical and mental integrity. Response from the Government dated 24 January 2005 461. The Government indicated that the information and allegations provided to the Special Rapporteur and contained in the Appeal with regard to Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien were totally untrue. The Governme nt whished to reaffirm that in Vietnam, the rights to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of non-religion or belief are clearly enshrined in the Constitution and laws and are guaranteed in practice. No one shall be arrested or detained merely for religious reasons. Only those who violate the law will be punished in accordance with the laws. Torture and other forms of inhumane treatment and punishments are forbidden. Article 71 of the 1992 Constitution stipulates: “The citizen shall enjoy inviolability of the person and the protection of the law with regard to his life, health, honor and dignity… It is strictly forbidden to use all forms of harassment and coercion, torture, violation of his honor and dignity, against a citizen”. The Penal Code of Vietnam has provisions on penalties for those who infringe upon the above-mentioned rights (Chapter XII). Also, these are strictly observed in practice. 462. Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien was put on trial on 12 November 2004 by the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City on charge of “assaulting on-duty public officers”. The Court sentenced Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien to a year in prison (in accordance with point 1, Article 257 of the Penal Code). Ms. Lien was serving her prison sentence. Like others, she was entitled to the rights and conditions of inmates. Her right to healthcare and medical treatment was ensured as well as her right to physical and mental integrity. Additional response from the Government dated 27 April 2005 463. The Government indicated that, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the day of 30 April, the President of Vietnam had signed a decision to grant special amnesty for 7820 inmates, including Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien. Urgent appeal sent on 14 April 2005 464. The Special Rapporteur brought the two following cases to the attention of the Government: