Dieter Roux [aka Joe Hay] has finally been released from Phonthong Prison
Laos after two years of solid campaigning by Foreign Prisoner Support
Services human rights advocate - Kay Danes.
Monsieur Dieter ROUX had been unlawfully detained for a decade in Laos and
was granted a release early in 2004 from the Laos Government under
humanitarian grounds.
Monsieur Roux had never been convicted of any crime and never judged in a
Laos court. He was suffering from deep schizophrenia and was denied medical
treatment. Clearly Monsieur Roux was traumatized by his experiences in
Laos. He was not even able to remember his name or anything about his past.
According to the French Embassy in Vientiane, the Laos authorities claim
they kept Monsieur Roux so long in prison because they did not know who he
was or where he came from. They decided to extend his detainment
indefinitely because of his illness. The authorities believed that Monsieur
Roux could have been dangerous towards himself and/or others. Although
eye-witness accounts provided to various human rights organizations refute
this this allegation.
The French Embassy learned of Dieter Roux's identity and endeavored to
secure Consular support for him on a regular basis and to generate support
from a number of sources, including family and friends, to pay for Monsieur
Roux'x evacuation to France where he could be treated in a psychiatric
hospital.
Finally, two french doctors accepted to accompany him for free, without any
charges for the trip.
"I am glad that my dear friend Dieter has now returned to France. My
husband and I made a promise to him before we left Phonthong Prison that we
would do everything possible to bring his case to the attention of the
French authorities. They say he suffered deep schizophrenia and maybe they
are correct. If that's the case, why didn't the Laos authorities notify the
French Embassy all those years ago when they first arrested Dieter? I find
it convenient that the Laos authorities justify their unlawful activity in
such a way but nevertheless, I am grateful that Dieter now has an
opportunity to heal" says Kay Danes.
Foreign Prisoner Support Services would like to thank everyone who has
cared enough to campaign in support of this case!
FPSS
