Two Catholic activists abducted and charged by government

The Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam has confirmed that two Vietnamese-born Catholic activists who had been reported missing by family members while visiting Cambodia have been arrested and charged in Vietnam. Both men work on a range of democracy and human rights issues, including on the right to freedom of religion or belief.

According to Vietnamese authorities, Ho Pham Hiep Huy (also known as Tran Hiep), an Australian citizen, Nguyen Duc Thuan, a Norwegian citizen, and a third individual, Thai Cong Truong Son, a Vietnamese citizen, are under investigation in connection with allegations related to terrorism and the use of forged documents to make an illegal border crossing. The authorities stated that the three men were apprehended on 18 September while allegedly attempting to enter Vietnam from Cambodia without authorisation. CSW understands that the Australian and Norwegian foreign ministries are aware of the arrests and have been in contact with Vietnamese officials.

State media reports cited by the ministry state that the individuals are accused of being members of Viet Tan. Authorities further allege that the men were carrying forged documents and intended to conduct activities described as terrorism and sabotage. Charges reportedly include terrorism-related offenses under Article 299 of Vietnam’s Penal Code and offenses related to forging official documents under Article 341.

Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform Revolutionary Party) is a human rights organisation with offices in several countries that was formed by exiled members of the fallen government of Southern Vietnam in 1982. Viet Tan describes itself as a pro-democracy group advocating for peaceful political change in Vietnam, while the Vietnamese government has designated it as a terrorist organisation. A similar designation was given to another overseas Vietnamese human rights organisation, Boat People SOS, in 2025.  

Prior to the announcement by Vietnamese authorities, Viet Tan reported that Tran Hiep and Nguyen Duc Thuan had been missing in Cambodia since 18 September. The organisation stated that the two men had travelled to Phnom Penh on 15 September and were scheduled to depart on 19 September but did not board their flights to Bangkok as scheduled.

Representatives of Viet Tan have disputed the account provided by Vietnamese authorities. The organisation alleges that the three activists were forcibly taken from Cambodia and transferred to Vietnam against their will and in violation of international law. Viet Tan has not commented on the status of third individual.

CSW’s CEO Scot Bower said: ‘Vietnam has emerged as one of the most aggressive perpetrators of transnational repression, routinely violating international norms to silence dissidents. The unlawful abduction, cross-border forced transfer, arbitrary detention and sham trials of Ho Pham Hiep Huy, Nguyen Duc Thuan and Thai Cong Truong Son represent an unacceptable escalation in international law violations that demands immediate intervention. It shows the lengths that Vietnam’s authoritarian government are willing to go to in order to silence those who highlight its consistent and flagrant violations of human rights, and that even Vietnamese who naturalise and become citizens of other countries are not safe. We call on Vietnam to release and repatriate Ho Pham Hiep Huy and Nguyen Duc Thuan, to release Thai Cong Truong Son, and to cease its repression of human rights activists in the country and abroad. Vietnam must be held accountable for its ever more brazen and emboldened acts of transnational repression against pro-democracy activists and faith leaders.’