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A moving “Silent Protest” unfolded in Oslo on Dec. 10 to mark International Human Rights Day, as members of the Vietnamese diaspora and international partners gathered before Norway’s Parliament to honor imprisoned activists from Việt Nam and Myanmar. Without chants or banners, the demonstration drew the attention of passersby who stopped to watch, listen, and reflect.

A Stark Display of Absence and Resistance Braving the harsh Nordic winter, organizers erected six life-sized silhouettes made from recycled cardboard. Two projectors illuminated the figures with the faces of 27 Myanmar activists and 26 Vietnamese activists—53 individuals whose lives have been defined by imprisonment for their political beliefs.

Every 30 seconds, a new face appeared, and a name rang out: Aung San Suu Kyi, Min Ko Naing, Nguyễn Tường Thụy, Phạm Đoan Trang, Lê Hữu Minh Tuấn… Each projection symbolically brought an imprisoned dissident “into the public square,” restoring visibility to those confined to darkness.

Volunteers hand-made every cardboard figure using recycled materials, craft knives, glue, and their own chairs to brace the silhouettes against the wind. This do-it-yourself approach embodied the event’s deeper message: when a community stands together, solidarity becomes a signal to those behind bars— you are not forgotten; your fight for freedom continues beyond the prison walls.

A Call to Remember—and to Act An introductory panel framed the installation’s purpose:

“These people you see are currently shackled somewhere in the dark prisons of Việt Nam and Myanmar... They are journalists, pastors, students, and citizens who dared to speak up for human rights.

For defending the vulnerable. for expressing dissent, for protecting the environment or religious freedom, they were beaten, kidnapped, jailed under vague charges like ‘propaganda against the state’ or ‘abusing democratic freedoms.’ Silent Protest is a call to bring them back into the light.”

Organizers invited visitors to pause and engage with the display—whether by standing beside a political prisoner’s silhouette, reading their story, or simply reflecting on the thin line between freedom and captivity.

In contrast to traditional demonstrations that rely on large screens or amplified speeches, these scattered cardboard figures fostered intimate encounters. Many passersby lingered, moved by the quiet juxtaposition of free citizens standing face-to-face with representations of those deprived of that very liberty.

Global Resonance Beyond a Winter Afternoon Though the event lasted only a few hours, it made a distinct impression amidst the bustle of visiting international delegations. Organizers now intend to export this protest model to other countries, raising awareness about the suppression of free expression and human rights violations—universal values systematically denied in authoritarian states.

The Oslo Silent Protest also delivered a specific message to the local public. It reminded Norwegians that freedoms often taken for granted—speech, dissent, and political organization—remain dangerous undertakings in countries like Việt Nam and Myanmar. This modest but heartfelt demonstration underscored an enduring truth: freedom has a price, and it demands defense, even in silence.