A video of this action is now available here.
Police are suspected of abducting him six months ago
Dozens of Philippine human rights defenders held a “ritual of remembrance” outside the Lao embassy in Manila today to call for the safe return of highly acclaimed activist Sombath Somphone who was abducted six months ago.
Clarissa Militante, of the group Focus on the Global South, said the Lao government should ensure Sombath is found and returned safely to his family.
Some 100 activists from all over Asia, Europe, the United States and Australia sent “messages of hope and support” for today’s event, Militante said.
People sending messages included Larry Lohman, author of the book Carbon Trading: A Critical Conversation on Climate Change, Privatization and Power and co-founder of the Durban Group for Climate Justice.
Anne Sophie Gindroz of the Swiss group Helvetas urged those detaining Sombath to release him soon
Sombath received the UN’s Human Resource Development Award in 2001 for empowering the rural poor in Laos. Continue reading “Rights groups urge release of Laos activist”