Panel discussion,
Monday, 16 December, 7pm
Twelve years ago, on December 15, 2012, Sombath Somphone, a leader in innovative rural development in Laos and the Southeast Asian region, was stopped at a police checkpoint in downtown Vientiane. CCTV footage showed that a few minutes later, policemen transferred him to another vehicle, which drove off into the traffic. Sombath has not been seen since, and there’s been no information about him from the authorities despite constant entreaties from his family, friends, NGOs, diplomats, UN staff, visiting foreign dignitaries and others. Despite being last seen accompanied by Lao government officials, the Lao government has engaged in a constant cover-up that has deepened over the years.
Sombath was a selfless, committed believer in rural development and sustainable agriculture, constantly looking for ways to help the Lao people through his work. He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2005 for his pioneering efforts for community development. He played a role in the central leadership of the Asia-Europe People’s Forum (AEPF) organized in Laos in 2012.
A distinguished panel, led by his wife Shui-meng Ng, will discuss Sombath, his work and passions, his ongoing legacy and what that all means for Laos as it faces a desperate economic and social situation with massive foreign indebtedness, corruption, economic disruption, rights abuses and massive rural and youth unemployment.
Speakers:
Shui-meng Ng, wife of Sombath Somphone, retired UN field staff.
Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, family member of an enforced disappearance victim, former member of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
Walden Bello, founder and chair of the Board of Focus on the Global South, and a former elected representative in the Philippine Congress.
Sunai Phasuk, senior researcher for Thailand and Laos, Human Rights Watch.
Laura Macini, human rights officer, Southeast Asia Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights.
Moderator: Phil Robertson, FCCT board member, and director, AsiaHuman Rights and Labour Advocates.
This is not an FCCT-organized event.
Free and open to all.