Past arrest and beating of Vietnamese protester does not amount to persecution

April 22, 2026 · WOWERI

The UK Court of Appeal has ruled that the arrest and beating of a Vietnamese protester does not amount to persecution. This judgment is a reminder that persecution under the Refugee Convention remains a high threshold.

UK Court of Appeal rules that arrest and beating of Vietnamese protester does not constitute persecution

The UK Court of Appeal has ruled that the arrest and beating of a Vietnamese protester after attending an anti-China demonstration in Vietnam does not constitute persecution. This judgment is a reminder that persecution under the Refugee Convention remains a high threshold.

What this means for refugees

This ruling may have implications for refugees who have applied for asylum in the UK. Persecution under the Refugee Convention is defined as serious harm or threat of harm that is based on one of five grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership of a social group, or political opinion.