- Former Vietnamese school teacher and activist Dang Thi Hue (Hue Nhu) spoke at the Geneva Summit on Human Rights and Democracy on February 18, 2026.
- Hue Nhu was imprisoned from 2019 to 2023 for protesting corruption-tainted toll road projects.
- She escaped Vietnam in 2024 and has lived as a political refugee in Germany since June 2025.
Background and Persecution
- A teacher for 16 years, Hue Nhu began criticizing government corruption in 2018.
- She faced persistent surveillance, questioning, and harassment by security forces.
- During her trial, authorities blocked her family and supporters from attending, jammed cell phone signals, and prohibited her legal defense from speaking.
- Her fellow activists have faced severe retaliation, including physical abuse with electric batons.
Global Impact and Advocacy
- The Geneva Summit provided a platform to highlight human rights abuses that often go unnoticed as Vietnam is frequently viewed solely as a tourist or business destination.
- Michel Tran Duc of the human rights group Viet Tan emphasized the importance of giving victims a public voice and holding regimes accountable.
- PEN America and other international organizations have expressed solidarity, noting that her case highlights the extreme risks faced by those challenging authoritarian rule in Vietnam.
Current Status
- Despite her exile, Hue Nhu remains at risk due to concerns regarding transnational repression by Vietnamese authorities.
- She continues to advocate for accountability, urging other activists to persist in their struggle for democracy and human dignity.
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