Letter to Hon P Wong – Free Thuan & Hiep

Senator the Hon Penny Wong

6 October 2026

Hiep Tran

Held in Vietnam

Charged with terrorism offences | death penalty risk

Dear the Hon P Wong and others:

1 . I represent Ms Chloe Dang, Mr Hiep Tran’s wife.

2 . Mr Tran and his colleague, Mr Duc Thuan Nguyen, were taken from Cambodia to Vietnam on or about 18 September 2026. There has been no communication from either man since that date.

3 . I understand from media reports that Mr Tran and Mr Nguyen have been charged “over an alleged plot to carry out terrorist activities”1 in Vietnam.

4 . Terrorist offences in Vietnam carry the death penalty.

5 . Ms Dang has expressed initial disappointment to me and others regarding her engagement thus far with the Australian Government. For example, Ms Dang has not been allocated a consistent direct point of contact and has not been told in detail what steps the Australian Government is taking to locate her husband and bring him back to Australia. Ms Dang is obviously extremely distressed and concerned about the current situation and requires significant support from the Australian Government to assist her and her husband.

6 . This lack of support is particularly concerning given last year’s Senate inquiry into the wrongful detention of Australian citizens overseas.

7 . The kidnapping of Mr Tran and his colleague, Mr Nguyen from Cambodia to Vietnam is also a particularly egregious act of transnational oppression that sets a frightening precedent for (joint) Australian citizens travelling in South East Asia. The Australian Government must act strongly and urgently and be seen to do so to ensure this kidnapping does not set a precedent for Vietnam and other states.

8 . We hope to work constructively with the Minister’s office, DFAT and the consulate in Hanoi. To this end, we would like to understand the exact steps and strategy the Australian Government is taking to:

(a) Urgently confirm where Mr Tran is being held in Vietnam

(b) Urgently confirm the conditions under which Mr Tran is being held, including whether he needs and is receiving medical care

(d) Confirm the precise criminal charge/s Mr Tran is facing and any further steps taken in the criminal process

(e) Confirm if Mr Tran has access to independent and appropriately qualified legal representation on a confidential basis

(f) Secure Mr Tran’s release and return to Australia.

9 . At this stage, we are particularly interested to understand what steps the consulate in Hanoi has taken to find Mr Tran. For example, please confirm if consulate staff have visited Ministerial offices, prisons and medical centres to try to find Mr Tran. I understand that political dissidents accused of terrorism have previously been taken to Ministry of Public Security places of detention, including Prison B14 near Hanoi, located here: Link Google Map

10 . Other potential detention sites include:

(a) B34 MPS Detention Centre (HCMC)

(b) Phan Dang Luu Police Detention Centre (HCMC)

(d) Police Detention Centre No. 1 (Tu Liem) (Hanoi)

11 . I have addresses for the above if needed.

12 . I also understand that Mr Tran may have been monitored by Vietnamese authorities

while in Australia. As such, please confirm if this matter has been referred to the

Australian Federal Police and / or other security organisations (including ASIO). I

will be making a report.

13 . I look forward to hearing back on an urgent basis.

Regards

Alison Battisson

Director Principal

Human Rights for All

E: [email protected]

M: +61(0) 400 635 110

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1 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-29/missing-human-rights-activist-cambodia-charged-

vietnam/107208750