, according to her husband, Huynh Ngoc Chenh.<\/span><\/p>\nHanh, 61, has been receiving a combined treatment of radiation therapy and chemotherapy as an outpatient at Hanoi\u2019s Hospital K, the country\u2019s largest cancer hospital, Huynh said on Facebook last week. The treatment regimen is expected to last for three months.<\/span><\/p>\nFormer prisoner of conscience Dang Thi Hue posted a petition on Facebook on Saturday that argues that Hanh would receive better treatment at home with family and friends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIt also cites Article 62 of the country\u2019s criminal code, which stipulates that prisoners who have contracted terminal illnesses are exempt from serving prison sentences, and Article 67, which says that those who contract severe illnesses \u201care exempt from serving prison sentences\u201d until they have recovered.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe treatment of depression and cancer needs a combination of a health care center\u2019s regimen and psychological therapy \u2013 and the best psychological therapy is love and family care,\u201d the petition says.<\/span><\/p>\nOther petitions<\/p>\n
Signatures will continue to be collected until Feb. 2. The petition will then be mailed to the Hanoi City Prosecution Institute and the Hanoi Police\u2019s Inspection Agency, Hue said.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cIn my opinion, it is urgently necessary to stop the investigation of Hanh\u2019s case to let her get medical treatment,\u201d she told Radio Free Asia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nA second petition calling for Hanh\u2019s release is being circulated by the Le Hieu Dang Club, a group of intellectuals who often speak out about national issues.<\/span><\/p>\nA third petition was sent on Thursday by the Hung Dao Thang Long Law Office, which is representing Hanh. It cites Article 2 of the 2009 Law on Seniors and other humanitarian stipulations in Vietnamese law.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cFor Nguyen Thuy Hanh, we hope that the proceeding authorities will examine the case of a senior woman who has contracted a number of illnesses,\u201d the law firm\u2019s petition said. \u201cShe should be subject to the most humane stipulations provided in the Penal Code.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nA Hanoi human rights lawyer who spoke anonymously for security reasons told RFA that Hanh is clearly eligible to be exempt from prosecution. But he said he wasn\u2019t optimistic that Hanoi authorities would apply the humanitarian provisions to her case.<\/span><\/p>\nEdited by Matt Reed.<\/span><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tin t\u1eeb RFA