In his recent remarks at the Universal Periodic Review, Phongsavath Boupha, the Chairman for the Lao National Steering Committee on Human Rights, said:
“…the investigation committee has always been open to views and suggestions, and is ready too receive suggestions from any interested parties…”
If authorities are sincerely seeking suggestions, they might begin with these from Canada, the European Union, the United States, and UN Special Rapporteurs made last month on the two-year mark since Sombath’s disappearance.
On this same occasion, suggestions were also made by Amnesty International, the Magsaysay Foundation, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and 82 International Rights Groups.
In addition, the International Commission of Jurists released a report with specific suggestions through which Lao authorities might “…fulfill their obligations under international law.”
More recently, a number of suggestions were offered by Human Rights Watch and the International Federation for Human Rights.
Scores of additional appeals, statements and suggestions from the above and many other concerned governments, organisations and individuals can be found here.
More comments and recommendations have been made during the Universal Periodic Review itself. If Lao authorities are truly “…ready too receive suggestions from any interested parties…”, will they work to ensure these are included in the Outcome Report?
Finally, Mr. Boupha suggests that Lao authorities “…cooperated sincerely with [Sombath’s] wife and relatives, allowed them to view and record the footage.”
What better way to demonstrate their sincerity and seriousness than to simply release the original recording, a suggestion that has been made dozens of times?