Australian activist Tran Hiep detained in Vietnam prison

Australian human rights advocate Tran Hiep, also known as Ho Pham Hiep Huy, is being held at the B34 Detention Centre of the Ministry of Public Security in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The 51-year-old Melbourne man had been missing since September 18 after failing to board a flight from Phnom Penh to Bangkok.

Vietnamese authorities stated that Hiep and two other activists were detained while allegedly attempting to cross illegally from Cambodia into Vietnam. The Ministry of Public Security also noted the group admitted to being members of Viet Tan.

Consular correspondence sent to Hiep’s wife, Chloe Dang, indicates that he is in good health and being detained according to local regulations. However, Ms. Dang expressed ongoing concern for his safety and noted that he has not yet been able to meet with Australian consular officials.

A United Nations human rights report has previously described the conditions at the detention facility as decrepit, citing windowless cells and limited oxygen.