Viet Tan condemns abduction of members in Cambodia and Hanoi’s fabricated charges
PRESS RELEASE
VIET TAN CONDEMNS ABDUCTION OF MEMBERS IN CAMBODIA AND HANOI’S FABRICATED CHARGES
September 28, 2026
Viet Tan strongly condemns the abduction of two of its members in Cambodia and the fabricated charges issued by the Vietnamese communist authorities to cover up an act of transnational repression.
Two Viet Tan members, Nguyen Duc Thuan and Tran Hiep, went missing in Cambodia on the morning of September 18 while traveling to the Kaoh Andaet area of Cambodia.
Viet Tan affirms that the two members had no intention of entering Vietnam. After abducting Nguyen Duc Thuan, a Norwegian citizen, and Tran Hiep, an Australian citizen, the Vietnamese communist authorities claimed that the two men had “illegally entered Vietnam from the Cambodian border.” This is a blatant fabrication intended to conceal the fact that the Viet Tan members were abducted in Cambodia and forcibly taken to Vietnam.
A state orchestrating the abduction of individuals abroad and forcibly taking them to its territory is a serious act of transnational repression. It violates Cambodia’s sovereignty and the fundamental principles of international law.
Viet Tan is particularly concerned that To Lam’s police state is using its security apparatus to pursue and repress activists and foreign nationals even beyond Vietnam’s borders. Meeting with, exchanging ideas with, and supporting human rights defenders, democracy activists, and civil society is a peaceful form of advocacy to advance freedom, democracy, and human rights in Vietnam.
Viet Tan calls on the Norwegian and Australian diplomatic authorities to urgently request direct access to Nguyen Duc Thuan and Tran Hiep (also known as Ho Pham Hiep Huy) to confirm their condition and ensure their safety. Mr. Thuan is diabetic and requires daily insulin injections. He must be guaranteed full access to medication and medical care.
Viet Tan calls on the governments of Norway and Australia and on international human rights organizations to press Hanoi for the immediate and unconditional release of both men. We also call on the media, Vietnamese community organizations, and all Vietnamese people to speak out and advocate for the safety and freedom of Thuan and Hiep, who have dedicated themselves to freedom, human rights, and democracy for Vietnam.
For further information, please contact: +1 346-704-4744
