One Month After Human Rights Activists Abducted in Cambodia: #BringThuanHiepHome
By Media
October 18, 2026 marks exactly one month since three activists, Nguyen Duc Thuan, Tran Hiep and Thai Cong Truong Son, were abducted in Cambodia by the Vietnamese authorities and forcibly taken to Vietnam, where they are being detained.
This is no ordinary arrest. It is a brazen act of transnational repression. Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security is trying to cover it up by falsely accusing these peaceful activists of “forging seals and documents” and “terrorism.” In fact, it was To Lam’s Ministry of Public Security that committed an act of terror by abducting these men in Cambodia and forcibly taking them to Vietnam.
During a visit by officials of the Australian Consulate-General on October 15, Tran Hiep stated on two occasions that he had been kidnapped in Cambodia. According to the report of the Australian Consulate-General in Saigon, Mr. Hiep reiterated that he “never entered or crossed the Vietnam border on his own” and that he “remained terrified and traumatised from being attacked and kidnapped in Cambodia.”
If the Vietnamese authorities maintain that the activists were arrested at the My Quy Tay border gate (Tay Ninh, Vietnam) while “illegally entering” the country, they should release the camera footage, immigration records, and the specific time, location and route, so that independent bodies, lawyers and consular representatives can verify them. Accusations cannot simply be made without evidence that can be independently verified.
In its announcement of September 28, 2026, the Ministry of Public Security confirmed that the arrest took place on September 18. The authorities therefore concealed the detention of Nguyen Duc Thuan, a Norwegian citizen, and Tran Hiep, an Australian citizen, for 10 days. This violates Vietnam’s obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, under which Hanoi must notify Norway and Australia “without delay.” This is not an administrative oversight but a disregard for international commitments that the Vietnamese authorities themselves have signed.
UN experts have repeatedly spoken out about the Vietnamese authorities’ violations of international human rights law, including the use of vague anti-terrorism laws and the arbitrary labelling of peaceful pro-democracy and pro-freedom organizations as “terrorist organizations.” Such accusations cannot justify abduction and cross-border repression.
A state that violates its international commitments cannot continue to be treated as a trustworthy partner. The governments of Australia and Norway, alongside Vietnam’s other international partners, must take concrete diplomatic, political and economic measures to protect Mr. Thuan, Mr. Hiep and Mr. Son and secure their freedom. They must also hold accountable those responsible for this act of transnational repression.
Over the past month, the families and friends of the men have actively engaged government officials, parliamentarians and the international media. Hundreds of articles, interviews and television programs have covered the case. Many parliamentarians and officials in Norway and Australia have expressed concern, and international human rights organizations have strongly condemned this act of transnational repression. Notably, more than 40 NGOs have called for the immediate release of Nguyen Duc Thuan, Tran Hiep and Thai Cong Truong Son.
However, concern and condemnation will not be enough unless they lead to concrete action.
We call on our communities and all those who care about justice around the world to keep speaking out:
- Sign and share the #BringThuanHiepHome petition, which calls on the governments of Australia and Norway, the European Union and the United Nations to increase pressure on the Vietnamese government to release Mr. Thuan, Mr. Hiep and Mr. Son.
- Join protests against To Lam and transnational repression, to show that the international community will not stay silent in the face of cross-border abductions and will hold the Vietnamese authorities accountable.
- Spread the story of all three activists, and of other victims of transnational repression, on social media, in your communities and through the media, in every language. Every voice helps break the silence and prevent such acts from happening again.
The abduction of Norwegian and Australian citizens on Cambodian soil shows that transnational repression under To Lam’s police state has escalated to an alarming level. Without a firm response from the international community, the Vietnamese authorities will believe they can continue to repress and persecute dissidents wherever they are and whatever their nationality.
One month has passed. It is time for the international community to move from words to action. Demand justice for Mr. Thuan, Mr. Hiep and Mr. Son. End transnational repression!
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