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Planning team failed to identify their pregnancies and inserted IUI which then caused them to abort. There were also complaints of une doctor making wrong diagnoses, giving incorrect treatment, and of harmful neglect by the medical staff. Reportedly, in one case, while left in the nurse's care, a one-year-old child, being treated for measles, was scalded from the waist down, had his tooth knocked out, and developed pneumonia. What angered the boat people more than mistakes was the apparent cover up. In cases where such mistakes were made, the family would not be told of the problem at first, then the medical staff would give some nonsensical "reason" why the patient's condition was worsening. Finally, the staff in some cases would stop making excuses and admit to having made mistakes. The asylum seekers usually fear that filing a complaint or making an inquiry will cause them to be labelled as "trouble makers" and jeopardize their screening interview. Therefore, boat people feel even more traumatized by illnesses or deaths because they do not trust the medical staff, the only people who are in a position to help the sick. Concerned family and friends fear with the patient that he or she might suffer unnecessarily.
A less visible problem is that asylum seekers, especially the leaders of the community, cannot meet by themselves freely. First, they must ask for CSD's permission. If approved, usually CSD would send a staff member to attend the meeting. Even if the officer does not stay through every meeting, his presence intimidates the Vietnamese. Voluntary agencies also inform CSD of their meetings with hut leaders and can expect an "incidental" visit from an officer.
The camp community has recently started to produce a magazine, but it must go through the CSD and UNHCR for approval. Editors and writers often talk of their fear of being censored or of the magazine being closed down, hence people say they avoid voicing anything political. CSD also frequently drops in on the magazine staff to make sure that they are not using the typewriter to write anything else. The CSD regularly checks on the asylum seekers' activities and forbids them from writing and circulating around the camp announcements or translated news items outside of the magazine, which comes out sporadically and too late for news to be up to date. Actually, CSD monitors all activities in the camp, such as classes, adult club, office work, even if they have nothing to do with these organizations or activities. Those active in the community have said that they feel they are under constant surveillance.
Some say they have received crude threats and have been warned by camp management that they are being watched and suspected of organizing demonstrations and of contacting people outside, organizations or the press, with unfavorable reports regarding the camp.
Even though in May 1990, Hei Ling Chau was opened to the press, some journalists still could not obtain permission to enter, and some of the asylum seekers (the English-speaking ones, ironically) still could not speak to the press. On one occasion, CSD scolded someone for speaking without permission. Management always tries to prevent contacts between the asylum seekers and