Author: rsbtws

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Dear Sombath…from Shui Meng (7)

My dearest Sombath,

Today, 17 February, is your birthday. This is the third year that you have not celebrated your birthday with me. Not having you with me is already very difficult; but not having you with me on this special day is even harder to bear.

S17 February 2015o, to mark the day, members of your family and I went to offer food for the monks in the forest temple, Wat Na Khoune Noi, the temple that you have been so closely associated with. This is the temple where you first started the Buddhist Development Program (BDP), under the protective endorsement from Phra Arjan Sali, the Vice Partriarch of the Buddhist Sangha. Through the BDP you were able to introduce to some monks the concepts of Engaged Buddhism, a system of Buddhist teachings and practice that encourage the monastics to step outside the confines of their temples and be more engaged in issues that affected the wider community and society. Continue reading “Dear Sombath…from Shui Meng (7)”

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Sombath on Banks & Credit

The bank will continue to be the bank and continue to operate as a bank. The people who work in the bank are the people who are the product of the education system which basically doesn’t make the connection between things.

…To ask the bank to be part of sustainable development is very difficult, because that have a certain mandate which is basically to give loans. So they can be a part of the players, but we cannot rely on them too much.


Remarks by Sombath at a panel discussion held at the FCCT in Bangkok, Thailand, 10 November 2008

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UPR Recommendations on Civil Society

UN LogoIn addition to the numerous recommendations on Sombath’s disappearance made during the Universal Periodic Review for the Lao PDR on January 20th, a number of recommendations were also given regarding civil society:

5.75. Extend, before the end of 2016, a standing invitation to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression as well as to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (Norway);

5.129. Ensure de jure and de facto protection of fundamental freedoms in order to be in conformity with the ICCPR that has been ratified by Laos. Regarding freedom of expression; lift the restrictions to freedom of press, ensure the independence and pluralism of media, and a safe environment for the work of journalists. Regarding freedom of association; facilitate unhindered action for human rights defenders and NGOs, notably through a reform of their registration system (France);

5.138. Guarantee freedom of expression, the press, assembly and association, as well as freedom of religion and belief in accordance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Uruguay);

5.146. Guarantee the effective exercise of freedom of expression, assembly and association by reforming its legislation particularly in order not to undermine the legitimate work of NGOs and human rights defenders (Luxembourg); Continue reading “UPR Recommendations on Civil Society”

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Lao delegation speaks on human rights

Vientiane Times: 31 January 2015 ພາສາລາວ

Government officials held a news briefing in Vientiane on Friday about the outcome of Laos’ participation in the second cycle of the UN Human Rights Council Periodic Review in Geneva, Switzerland, from January 20-23.

Boupha-UPR
Mr Phongsavath Boupha ( centre ) talks about the outcome of the UN Human Rights Council Periodic Review second cycle in Geneva.

Minister, Head of the President’s Office, Chairman of the Lao National Steering Committee on Human Rights, Mr Phongsavath Boupha, highlighted the Lao PDR’s achievements in advancing the promotion and protection of human rights in Laos since the first cycle of the review in 2010.

He also reiterated the progress made in the implementation of the country’s constitution and laws, policies, good governance, socio-economic development, poverty reduction, realisation of the MDGs, regional and international cooperation on human rights, and the implementation of human rights conventions to which Laos is a party.

Mr Phongsavath said the achievements made during the past five years enable the Lao multi-ethnic people to enjoy fundamental rights in accordance with the nation’s constitution and laws.

He noted that during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) meeting, some 74 countries made statements and recommendations, many of which commended the efforts and achievements of the Lao PDR in the promotion and protection of human rights.

During the meeting, the Lao delegation provided further information, explanations and clarification on certain questions and issues of interest that led to a better understanding of the human rights situation in Laos.

The Lao delegation provided information regarding the ongoing investigation into the missing of Mr Sombath Somphone, among other issues raised by some countries. Continue reading “Lao delegation speaks on human rights”

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UPR Recommendations on Sombath

IUN Logon his statement at the Universal Periodic Review for the Lao PDR on January 20th, Mr. Phongsavath Boupha, Chairman for the Lao National Steering Committee on Human Rights, asked for suggestions.

Here they are.

The full report is available here.

5.25. Conclude the process of ratification of the ICCPED shortly, and investigate vigorously all cases of enforced disappearances, including the case of civil society activist, Sombath Somphone, and inform the public transparently about the results of such investigation as far as feasible without endangering the investigation, and bring perpetrators to justice (Germany);

5.94.  Carry out without further delay an independent, credible investigation into the unexplained disappearance of a human rights defender, Mr. Sombath Somphone, which occurred on 15 December 2012 in Vientiane (Luxembourg);

5.95.  Carry out a prompt, independent and impartial investigation aimed at determining the fate or whereabouts of Sombath Somphone (Poland);

5.96.  Undertake a thorough investigation, consistent with international practices and standards, into the disappearance of Mr. Sombath Somphone (Portugal);

5.97.  Intensify the investigation into the disappearance of Mr Sombath and accept external assistance in the investigation and make the results publicly known, and investigate in a transparent and credible manner all cases of enforced disappearances (Sweden); Continue reading “UPR Recommendations on Sombath”

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Investigation Update: Yet another Reversal

Yong ChanthalangsySoon after Sombath was taken from in front of a police post on 15 December 2012, government statements issued in the KPL Lao News Agency and by Yong Chanthlangsy, Permanent Representative of the Lao PDR to the UN in Geneva in the Vientiane Times, clearly indicate that it was Sombath in the CCTV footage.

Phengsavanh _ThiphavongxayHowever, subsequent reports on behalf of the investigating committee by Phengsavanh Thipphavongxay, Deputy Director General, General Police Department in the Vientiane Times, allege the persons in the recording could not be identified.

Phoumma KhammanichanhThis new interpretation was taken further by Phoumma Khammanichanh, the Lao Ambassador to Australia, in a letter to John Hogg, President of the Australian Senate, claiming the CCTV “…did not give any clear picture of who or what is what therein… Particularly Mr. Sombath himself could not be precisely identified. Therefore, many people can not but keep wondering if Mr. Sombath did actually disappear in the place captured by the CCTV.”

Boupha-UPRBut Phongsavath Boupha, Chairman for the Lao National Steering Committee on Human Rights, again changes course in his statement at the Universal Periodic Review about Sombath’s disappearance on January 20th. Addressing accusations the Lao government might have been involved, Mr. Boupha asserts:

“…these accusations can be refuted by referring to the mere fact that the incident happened in front of a police CCTV camera, and the police authorities, based on their duties under the law, cooperate sincerely with his wife and relatives, allowed them to view and record the CCTV footage.”

Sombath-exits-JeepIf the CCTV footage is not clear enough to identity Sombath or his disappearance (as claimed by the investigative committee and Ambassador Khammanichanh) how can that same footage refute accusations that authorities may have been involved in the incident?

Also, if the police were conducting “…their duties under the law…” when allowing relatives to view the CCTV, why have they denied any subsequent access, and are still refusing to release the original file?

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Open Letter to ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the importance of establishing a genuine regional human rights mechanism

ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights: 22 January 2015

We would also seek to draw your attention to the dangers facing human rights defenders and civil society actors all across Southeast Asia, highlighted by the enforced disappearance of Lao civil society leader Sombath Somphone in December 2012, and the subsequent failure of the Lao PDR to properly investigate it…

ASEANWe, as current and former elected representatives in ASEAN member states would like to convey our input to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, contributing our suggestions for agenda setting for 2015 and warning of the dangers of overlooking the importance of ensuring the growth of a genuine regional human rights mechanism.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat is taking place in Sabah, Malaysia, 27-28 January 2015.

Firstly, we wish to call to attention the need for immediate and urgent action on one of the gravest human rights concerns facing our region and the world today: the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar which is becoming a strain and a stain on the entire region.

We would also seek to draw your attention to the dangers facing human rights defenders and civil society actors all across Southeast Asia, highlighted by the enforced disappearance of Lao civil society leader Sombath Somphone in December 2012, and the subsequent failure of the Lao PDR to properly investigate it, as well as the serious regional implications of ASEAN’s failure to stand up to the overthrow of a democratically elected government in Thailand and subsequent assault on human rights by the military regime there. At minimum, these issues, and potential solutions to them, should be discussed during the ASEAN Foreign Minister’s Retreat in Sabah. Continue reading “Open Letter to ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the importance of establishing a genuine regional human rights mechanism”

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Lao authorities ask for suggestions…while ignoring those made previously

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?