Penjara Neraka Dunia Buat Pendukung Komunis Di Vietnam! Korbannya Ribuan? | Learning By Googling #51

Summary

The video delves into the harrowing history of the notorious Coconut Tree Prison in Vietnam, once dubbed 'the hell on Earth'. Originally built by the French in the late 1940s, it became infamous for its brutal treatment of prisoners during the Vietnam War. The script describes the extreme tortures prisoners endured, such as being beaten, exposed to the scorching sun, and subjected to cruel methods like the 'tiger cage'. Despite attempts to escape, survival was rare, with many dying from malnutrition, dehydration, or infections. The prison now stands as a museum, a stark reminder of the atrocities committed there.

Takeaways

• 😀 The prison in the script is located on an island in southern Vietnam, called the Coconut Tree Prison, which was originally built by the French in 1948-1950 to hold political prisoners.
• 😀 During the Vietnam War, the Saigon government restructured the prison to hold pro-communist individuals, including Viet Cong soldiers and North Vietnamese soldiers.
• 😀 Prisoners were subjected to severe torture immediately upon entering the prison, with physical abuse and mistreatment as a common practice.
• 😀 One of the most brutal forms of torture involved standing prisoners on hot tin roofs under the sun, causing burns and exhaustion.
• 😀 Another common torture technique involved prisoners being placed in small cages called 'cages of tigers,' where they could not stand or sit comfortably, often with barbed wire surrounding them.
• 😀 Prisoners faced extreme conditions, including malnutrition, dehydration, and untreated wounds, leading to high death rates due to starvation, infections, and torture.
• 😀 Attempts to escape from the prison were nearly impossible. Even if a prisoner managed to escape the confines of the prison, the outer perimeter was heavily guarded with 15 layers of barbed wire and thousands of guards.
• 😀 Between 1963 and 1973, approximately 4,000 prisoners died at this prison, while many others were left with lifelong disabilities due to the conditions they endured.
• 😀 The prison served as a grim reminder of the cruelty during the Vietnam War, symbolizing the suffering of communists under the hands of imperialist forces.
• 😀 After the war, the prison was converted into a national historical monument and museum. Visitors can see statues and photographs depicting the horrors prisoners suffered there, although some images are disturbing.

Q & A

What was the original purpose of the prison discussed in the video?

The prison, initially built between 1948 and 1950, was constructed by French colonists to hold political prisoners. Later, it was repurposed by the Saigon government to imprison individuals sympathetic to the communist cause during the Vietnam War.

How were prisoners treated during their early days in the prison?

Upon arrival, prisoners were immediately subjected to physical abuse, including beatings that would demoralize them. This was meant to break their spirit before further punishment.

What were some of the most brutal forms of torture prisoners experienced?

Prisoners faced a variety of tortures, including being forced to stand in the sun until their skin blistered, having their eyes damaged by exposure to light bulbs, and being placed in 'tiger cages' where they could not sit up properly. Other methods involved severe physical abuse with weapons and tools.

How did the 'tiger cages' torture method affect the prisoners?

The 'tiger cages' were cramped spaces where prisoners were kept in extremely uncomfortable conditions. They were often surrounded by barbed wire, preventing them from moving freely. The lack of space and harsh treatment caused immense physical and psychological harm.

What were the long-term consequences for prisoners in this prison?

Prisoners often suffered lasting physical disabilities due to torture, malnutrition, and untreated wounds. Thousands died from mistreatment, and those who survived were left with permanent injuries.

How did the international community react to the conditions in this prison?

International organizations, including the International Red Cross, visited the prison in 1969 and 1972, revealing the extreme conditions. The reports highlighted the high mortality rate from torture, hunger, dehydration, and infection.

What was the impact of the prison's design on the prisoners' chances of escaping?

Escape from the prison was nearly impossible due to its reinforced security system. It was surrounded by 15 layers of barbed wire, and guards were stationed inside and outside the prison, making escape attempts futile.

What was the fate of the prisoners who attempted to escape?

Prisoners who attempted to escape were often caught and executed. Even those who managed to break free faced overwhelming odds, with guards and barriers preventing their successful escape.

How many prisoners were held in this prison during its peak?

At its peak, the prison housed between 32,000 and 40,000 prisoners. The conditions were overcrowded and torturous, with around 4,000 prisoners dying between 1963 and 1973 due to various causes.

What is the current status of the prison today?

After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, the prison was transformed into a historical monument. It became a museum in 1993, and visitors can now view displays depicting the brutal treatment of prisoners and the horrific conditions they endured.