Statement and Demands of AVRNC: The alleged unlawful arrest and detention of Mr Hiep Tran, an Australian citizen of Vietnamese refugee background
STATEMENT AND DEMANDS OF THE AUSTRALIAN VIETNAMESE REFUGEES NATIONAL COUNCIL (AVRNC)
Re: The alleged unlawful arrest and detention of Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy (also known as Hiep Tran), an Australian citizen of Vietnamese refugee background
The Australian Vietnamese Refugees National Council (AVRNC) strongly condemns the arrest and detention of MR PHAM HO HIEP HUY (also known as Hiep Tran), an Australian citizen of Vietnamese refugee background, under circumstances which, in the view of the Council, raise serious concerns regarding possible violations of the law, while he was travelling and visiting Cambodia and Thailand.
The Council is deeply concerned by information relating to the alleged involvement of Vietnamese authorities in the arrest of Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy. If confirmed, this matter raises serious issues concerning national sovereignty, the freedom of movement of an Australian citizen, his right to consular protection, and fundamental principles of international law.
The Council considers this to be a matter of particular concern to the Vietnamese-Australian community. Any act of transnational arrest or detention, if carried out without compliance with the laws of the country where the person is located and applicable international obligations, could have serious consequences for the confidence and sense of security of Vietnamese Australians travelling to or residing in Vietnam and other countries in the region.
Previously, the case involving Mr Trinh Xuan Thanh in Germany also resulted in serious diplomatic reactions and controversy concerning national sovereignty and Vietnam’s compliance with international law. The Council therefore remains particularly concerned about any indication of the arrest, coercion, or removal of a person from outside Vietnamese territory without an appropriate legal basis and in circumstances inconsistent with the principles of international law.
The Council also expresses serious concern about the possibility that a person who has been detained may face criminal allegations under circumstances lacking transparency. Every person who is arrested or detained must be afforded fundamental rights, including the right to know the reasons for their arrest, the right to access legal counsel, the right to communicate with family, the right to consular assistance, and the right to a fair trial in accordance with appropriate legal standards.
THE COUNCIL’S STATEMENT AND DEMANDS
In light of the above, the Council (AVRNC) hereby states and demands the following:
1. The Council welcomes and acknowledges the attention given by the Prime Minister of Australia, the Australian Government and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the case of Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy. The Council urges the Australian Government to continue monitoring the matter closely and to intervene at the highest appropriate level within its authority to protect the rights and lawful interests of this Australian citizen.
2. The Council calls upon the Australian Government to continue using all appropriate diplomatic measures to request that the Vietnamese authorities provide full and transparent information regarding Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy’s condition, place of detention, reasons for his arrest, and the legal procedures being applied to his case.
3. The Council calls upon the Vietnamese authorities to release Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy immediately and unconditionally if his arrest and detention lack a clear and valid legal basis and are inconsistent with applicable international legal obligations.
4. If Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy remains detained, the Council demands that the Vietnamese authorities fully guarantee his fundamental rights, including the right to access legal counsel, the right to communicate with his family, the right to receive consular assistance from the Australian Government, and the right to a fair trial.
5. The Council calls upon the Vietnamese authorities to respect the sovereignty of other nations and international law, and not to carry out arrests, coercive actions, or the removal of a person from the territory of another country without an appropriate legal basis and without complying with the laws of the country concerned.
6. The Council calls upon the Vietnamese authorities to respect the freedom of movement and safety of Australian citizens, including Australians of Vietnamese origin, when they travel to Vietnam or travel within countries in the Southeast Asian region.
The Australian Vietnamese Refugees National Council calls upon the Australian Government to continue using all appropriate diplomatic measures to protect the rights, lawful interests and safety of Australian citizen Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy.
The Council further calls for all proceedings relating to Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy to be conducted in a manner that is transparent, lawful, respectful of human rights, and consistent with applicable international obligations.
The Council will continue to closely monitor this matter and speak out until the lawful rights, safety and fundamental rights of Australian citizen Mr Pham Ho Hiep Huy are protected and secured.
For contact, please call Mr Nguyen The Phong OAM on 0411 756 552
Melbourne, 4 October 2026.
On behalf of The Australian Vietnamese Refugees National Council (AVRNC)
Nguyen The Phong OAM
President
