Statements & Appeals Archives - Page 19 of 22 - Sombath Somphone

August 28, 2013July 28, 2015

AEPF-IOC releases letter to Lao leadership

The International Organising Committee of the Asia Europe People’s Forum (AEPF) has released a letter written to top Lao leaders. In part, the letter reads:

Despite repeated appeals from his wife and many hundreds of individuals, numerous governments and organizations, and widespread media coverage, we conclude that the Lao government has yet to conduct an adequate investigation into Sombath’s disappearance or provide a satisfactory explanation for his abduction…

…We are of the opinion that the Lao Government is in breach of its human rights commitments, due to the enforced nature of Sombath’s disappearance, as it fails to ensure the safe return of Sombath and as restrictions on civil society continue.

As long as Sombath has not been returned safely to his family, many organisations and individuals are committed to continuing international activity and ensuring that his disappearance will dominate bi-‐lateral, multi-‐lateral and international discussions with and about Laos.

The full letter can be seen here.

June 27, 2013July 29, 2015

OHCHR Expresses Concern on Lack of Progress

Following a press briefing on 21 December 2012 by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), another briefing on 21 June 2013 states it is:

…of concern that six months on there seemed to be no progress in investigating the supposed forced disappearance of Sombath Somphone, a human rights activist from the Laos People’s Democratic Republic. He disappeared as he was driving home from the capital of Vientiane on 15 December 2012. Security camera footage supposedly showed his car being stopped by police and then him being driven away by men in plain clothes. The OHCHR was concerned about his safety, as his whereabouts were unknown and no progress has been seen in identifying the suspected perpetrators. OHCHR urged the Government to intensify measures to locate him and to ensure his prompt, safe return to his family. Sombath Somphone had been recognised worldwide for his work on equitable and sustainable development. Reports suggest that his apparent abduction may be related to this.

June 26, 2013July 28, 2015

Mansfield Center Expresses Solidarity

In an article “Fostering Engagement with Laos While Promoting Human Rights,” on Montana Public Radio, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center expressed:

…we stand together with the friends and family of Sombath as they work to facilitate his return. As we maintain our relationships with governmental and non-governmental organizations in Laos, we work to educate colleagues on Sombath’s disappearance, with the hope that he will soon be returned.

The article also states:

In a stark reminder of the state of human rights in Laos, Sombath disappeared six months ago, as he and his wife were driving separately from his office in Vientiane to their home. A police security video shows him being stopped at a police checkpoint and taken into custody. Despite attention from international observers, the Lao government has failed to explain his disappearance. As the U. S. Embassy in Vientiane stated, “Mr. Sombath is widely admired for his peaceful and constructive focus on improving his country…. Continued inaction on this case by the Lao authorities could erode progress made over the past years and damage the country’s international reputation, potentially raising additional questions about the Lao Government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and engage responsibly with the world.”

The full article can be read by clicking on the link above.

June 20, 2013July 29, 2015

Parliamentarians express dismay

Parliamentarians who traveled to Laos in January and March have written to Lao leaders expressing “…dismay at the lack of political will to conduct a serious investigation into the disappearance of Mr. Sombath Somphone.”

The lawmakers from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Netherlands further wrote:

During our visits, we were given a number of assurances by parliamentarians and government representatives. These included a commitment to a full, comprehensive and transparent investigation into Sombath’s disappearance on 15th December 2012…

Today, 15th June 2013, marks six long months since Sombath disappeared. He has not yet been returned safely to his family. The investigation reports released by the Lao authorities thus far are contradictory and misleading, indicating the partiality and shallowness of the official investigation…

We call on the Lao Government to urgently undertake a new independent investigation into Sombath’s disappearance and ensure that all steps are taken to locate and rescue Sombath from his captors and return him safely to his family as soon as possible, in accordance with Laos’ obligations under international law…

The full letter, sent to the Lao President, Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and President of the National Assembly can be seen here.

June 16, 2013July 28, 2015

Laos: End Cover-Up in Activist’s ‘Disappearance’

Human Rights Watch: 14 June 2013

After six months, the Lao government’s failure to explain the abduction of a prominent social activist at a police checkpoint or account for his whereabouts raises the gravest concerns for his safety. The Lao authorities should realize their cover story is fooling no one, and start telling the truth. Brad Adams, Asia director

(Bangkok) – Authorities in Laos have failed to seriously investigate or credibly explain the enforced disappearance six months ago of a leading social activist, Sombath Somphone, Human Rights Watch said today.

Sombath, 60, the 2005 recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, was last seen by his wife on December 15, 2012, as they were driving separately from his office in the capital, Vientiane, to their home for dinner. A police security video shows him being stopped at a police checkpoint and taken into custody. He never arrived home.

“After six months, the Lao government’s failure to explain the abduction of a prominent social activist at a police checkpoint or account for his whereabouts raises the gravest concerns for his safety,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The Lao authorities should realize their cover story is fooling no one, and start telling the truth.”

Security camera footage from the Municipality Police Station, obtained by Sombath’s wife, Ng Shui Meng, shows police stopping Sombath’s jeep at the Thadeua police post at 6:03 p.m. on December 15. Unidentified men then took Sombath into the police post. A motorcyclist stopped at the police post and drove off with Sombath’s jeep, leaving his own motorcycle by the roadside. A truck with flashing lights then stopped at the police post. Two people got out of the truck, took Sombath into the vehicle, and then drove off. Continue reading “Laos: End Cover-Up in Activist’s ‘Disappearance’”

June 15, 2013July 29, 2015

Statement from the U.S. Embassy – Vientiane, Laos

The Abduction of Civil Society Leader Sombath Somphone: Six Months Later
Statement from the U.S. Embassy – Vientiane, Laos
June 15, 2013

Sombath Somphone, one of the Lao PDR’s most respected civil society figures, was abducted on December 15, 2012, in front of a Lao police box on a main street in Vientiane. June 15 marks 6 months since his unexplained disappearance. The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane joins with countless others in the international community in reiterating our serious concerns about Mr. Sombath’s safety and well-being.

Through years of work with non-governmental organizations, the international community, and the Lao government, Mr. Sombath is widely admired for his peaceful and constructive focus on improving his country and the lives of his fellow Lao citizens. Regrettably, despite repeated inquiries from international organizations and governments around the world, the Lao government has not released concrete information, including during its most recent statement on June 7, regarding official investigations that may have taken place. Lao authorities have not offered members of Mr. Sombath’s family or representatives from international organizations an opportunity to review the government’s surveillance camera footage that reportedly shows his abduction.

Mr. Sombath’s disappearance resurrects memories of an earlier era when unexplained disappearances were common. Continued inaction on this case by the Lao authorities could erode progress made over the past years and damage the country’s international reputation, potentially raising additional questions about the Lao Government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and engage responsibly with the world. We urge our partners in the Lao Government to pursue all leads in this case, and do everything in their power to ensure Mr. Sombath’s immediate and safe return to his family.

June 15, 2013December 19, 2015

Laos must ensure return of disappeared civil society leader

Amnesty International: 13 June 2013

The Lao government must act now to ensure the safe return of civil society leader Sombath Somphone, who is most likely a victim of an enforced disappearance at the hands of the authorities, Amnesty International said in a new briefing issued today.

The briefing, Caught on Camera, examines in detail the case of Sombath, who was taken away in the presence of security personnel on the evening of 15 December 2012 – six months ago – and has not been heard from since.

“Based on the evidence, the most plausible conclusion is that Sombath Somphone is a victim of an enforced disappearance, for which Lao officials are responsible,” said Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International’s Researcher on Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam.

“The Lao government must publicly demand his immediate and unconditional release, and safe return to his family.” Continue reading “Laos must ensure return of disappeared civil society leader”

June 14, 2013July 28, 2015

Le Laos doit garantir le retour d'un dirigeant de la société civile victime de disparition

Amnesty International: 13 June 2013

Le gouvernement du Laos doit prendre immédiatement des mesures pour garantir le retour sain et sauf de Sombath Somphone, un dirigeant de la société civile qui a très probablement été victime d’une disparition forcée et qui se trouverait entre les mains des autorités, écrit Amnesty International dans un nouveau rapport rendu public jeudi 13 juin 2013.

Ce document, intitulé Caught on Camera, étudie en détail le cas de Sombath Somphone, enlevé il y a six mois, le 15 décembre 2012 dans la soirée, en présence de membres des services de sécurité.

« D’après les preuves dont nous disposons, la conclusion la plus plausible est que Sombath Somphone a été victime d’une disparition forcée, imputable à des agents de l’État, a déclaré Rupert Abbott, chercheur d’Amnesty International sur le Cambodge, le Laos et le Viêt-Nam.

« Il appartient au gouvernement du Laos d’exiger publiquement qu’il soit libéré immédiatement et sans conditions et qu’il puisse rejoindre sa famille sain et sauf.

« Les autorités laotiennes doivent aussi mettre sur pied une nouvelle commission indépendante et la charger d’enquêter sur cette affaire, de veiller à ce que Sombath Somphone revienne sain et sauf auprès des siens et de faire juger, au cours de procès équitables, les personnes présumées responsables de sa disparition forcée. Continue reading “Le Laos doit garantir le retour d'un dirigeant de la société civile victime de disparition”

June 13, 2013July 28, 2015

Amnesty International publish briefing document on Sombath's disappearance

Laos must ensure return of disappeared civil society leader

Amnesty International: 13 June 2013

173923_Sombath_Somphone_with_Archbishop_Desmond_Tutu(2) — Sombath Somphone with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, in Laos, 2006. © www.sombath.org

The fact that Sombath was taken from a police post in the centre of Laos’ capital city and that the police there did nothing to resist raises very serious concerns. Rupert Abbott, Amnesty International’s Researcher on Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam.

“The Lao government must publicly demand his immediate and unconditional release, and safe return to his family.”

“They should also establish a new, independent commission to investigate the case, ensure Sombath’s safe return, and bring to justice in fair proceedings those suspected of being responsible for his enforced disappearance”.

Under international law, enforced disappearances are defined as the arrest or detention of a person by state officials or their agents followed by a refusal to acknowledge that the person is being held or to reveal the fate or whereabouts of the person. Continue reading “Amnesty International publish briefing document on Sombath's disappearance”

June 4, 2013July 29, 2015

Scholars Call on Australian Government

Over 40 scholars and researchers have called on Bob Carr, the Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs, to take stronger action. While acknowledging efforts to date, the letter states “As concerned citizens and engaged scholars…we have seen the limits of a quiet approach, and now appeal to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to take a more assertive stand on Sombath Somphone’s disappearance…”

Specifically, the signatories call on the Australian government to:

Make a public statement about Sombath Somphone’s disappearance, calling on the Lao government to do everything in its power to account for his disappearance without further delay;
Place the plight of Sombath Somphone at the front end of all Australian trade, investment, and donor discussions with the Lao PDR, until Mr. Somphone is located and released to his family;
Request the Lao authorities to publicly reaffirm the legality and legitimacy of the work being done by Lao civil society in favour of sustainable development and social justice, in order to counter the serious intimidation which has been provoked by Sombath Somphone’s disappearance;
Continue to impress upon the Lao authorities the need to meet their obligations under International Human Rights Law, and to uphold the rule of law within Laos as affirmed under the Constitution of the Lao PDR, amended in 2003.

The full appeal can be read here.