Australian democracy campaigner vanishes in Cambodia
Democracy campaigner Tran Hiep, 50, has not been reached since arriving in Phnom Penh on September 18.
Tran Hiep, an Australian-Vietnamese human rights defender, travelled to Cambodia on September 18 to meet with dissidents but never boarded his scheduled flight to Bangkok. Chloe Dang, his wife, says he has not contacted her since that day.
Hiep founded the Australian Alliance to Combat Human Trafficking and works as a freelance IT professional. Nguyen Duc Thuan, another activist, travelled with Hiep and has also not been found.
The pair travelled to Cambodia to meet with dissident Vietnamese activists for training. Vietnam has escalated its crackdown on activists, with more than 55 arrested under broad laws in 2025.
Civil society groups have warned of growing cooperation between Vietnamese authorities and neighbouring governments targeting advocates. Dang has appealed to the Australian government for help.
Families have filed a UN complaint about a potential enforced disappearance.
- 11 days since September 18
- Days missing
- 50 years old
- Hiep's age
- More than 55
- Vietnamese activists arrested in 2025
- Bangkok airport en route to Melbourne
- Wife's location
Why it mattersA suspected enforced disappearance raises risks for human rights activists across Asia. The case highlights concerns about coordinated regional efforts to suppress dissidents.
AustraliaAn Australian citizen is missing abroad; DFAT is providing consular assistance to his family.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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