Sombath Somphone | ສົມບັດ ສົມພອນ

February 14, 2013August 9, 2015

84 concerned parties

February 13, 2013

Minister of The Prime Minister’s Office
President of The National Assembly
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Minister of Public Security
Vientiane, Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic

CC:

ASEAN Secretary General
ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights
EU Subcommittee on Human Rights

Re: Status of investigation into the disappearance of Mr. Sombath Somphone

Dear Madams and Sirs:

We write to you once again with deepening urgency. It has now been almost two months since Mr. Sombath Somphone, founder and former Director of PADETC, was abducted from in front of a police post in Vientiane. Since that time, the Lao Government has claimed that authorities are seriously investigating the matter to arrive at the truth.

We note with great regret that to date, the Lao Government has provided virtually no meaningful updates about the investigation. On the contrary, reports from Vientiane indicate that false and slanderous rumours are being spread about why Mr. Sombath may have disappeared. Sombath Somphone is deeply respected both nationally and internationally for his integrity, honesty and service to his country. Suggestions of personal or business conflicts should be substantiated with credible evidence, or retracted and rejected. Such minimal standards of legal process are surely Mr Sombath’s due as a Lao citizen.

Mr. Sombath’s abduction and the lack of progress of the official investigation has received tremendous international attention and is tarnishing the reputation of the Lao PDR, placing the country’s international profile in serious jeopardy. As noted by the Lao Ambassador in Geneva, the Lao PDR is State party to seven core UN Human Rights Conventions and two Optional Protocols, and signatory to the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. A résolution adopted by the European Parliament on February 7 calls on Lao Authorities to “undertake prompt, transparent and thorough investigations, in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law, and to ensure the immediate and safe return of Sombath Somphone to his family;”

We once again urge the Lao Government to act in good faith, expedite its investigation into Mr. Sombath’s abduction, and provide his family with meaningful updates on the progress of the investigation.

Swift actions by the Lao Government on this matter and the safe return of Mr. Sombath will surely bring credit to the country.

Respectfully,

Alec Bamford, Thailand
All India Forum of Forest Movements, India
AKSI, Indonesia
Andrew Bartlett, United Kingdom
Andrew Nette, Australia
Angela Savage, Australia
Anne-Sophie Gindroz, Indonesia
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Thailand
Bank Information Centre, USA
Bert Cacayan, Terres des homes Germany, Philippines
Brett M. Ballard, USA
Brian Angelo Lim, Singapore
Bruce Shoemaker, USA
Carl Middleton, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Centre for Civil Society, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Centre for Environmental Justice/Friends of the Earth, Sri Lanka
Centre for Human Rights and Development, Mongolia
Centre for Sustainable Development (CENESTA), Iran
Chanida Bamford, Thailand
Chris Greacen, USA
Chris Lang, Indonesia
Cheng Shuling, China
Dani Setiawan, Anti Debt Coalition (KAU), Indonesia
Don Macleod, United Kingdom
Ellen Agger, Canada
Emma Glesen, New Zealand
Femy Pinto, Philippines
FIAN International, Germany
Finnish NGO Platform KEPA, Finland
Focus on the Global South, Thailand, India and Philippines
Forest Peoples Programme, United Kingdom
Fresh Eyes–People to People Travel, United Kingdom
Gary Lee, Australia
Global Witness, United Kingdom
Grainne Ryder, Canada
Herman Kumara Wijethunge, National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) Sri Lanka
Hozue Hatae, Friends of the Earth Japan, Japan
International Accountability Project, USA
International Rivers, USA
Jacquelyn Chagnon, USA
Jenina Joy Chavez, Philippines
Jeremy Ironside, New Zealand
Jim Enright, Mangrove Action Project, Asia Regional Office, Thailand
Joan Carling, Secretary General, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Thailand
Jon Ungphakorn, Thailand
Jubilee South-Asia/Pacific Movement on Debt & Development, Philippines
Karen Janigan, Canada
Karin Downs, Mass. Dept. of Public Health, USA
Keith Barney, Australian National University, Australia
Ken Kampe, USA
Kevin Kamp, USA
Kenji Fukuda, Representative Director, Mekong Watch, Japan
La Via Campesina, South Asia, India
Lam Thi Thu Suu, Vietnam Rivers Network (VRN), Vietnam
Laofang Bundidterdsakul, Lawyer, Thailand
Lisa ter Woort, Canada
Margie Law, Mekong Monitor, Australia
Martin Lemenager, France
Migrant Forum in Asia, Philippines
Mueda Nawanat, Thailand
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Pakistan
Peta Colebatch, Australia
Peter Swift, USA
Philip Hirsch, University of Sydney, Australia
Pierre-Marc Blanchet, France
Pieter Jansen, Both ENDS, Netherlands
Randall Arnst, USA
Randall Ireson, USA
Rebeca Leonard, United Kingdom
Re:Common, Italy
Roger Henke, Netherlands
Roger Rumpf, USA
Rural Poor Institute for Land & Human Rights Services (RIGHTS), Inc., Philippines
Sabrina Kathleen, USA
Samuel Martin, France
Theresa Wong, Singapore
Tipakson Manpati, Thailand
The Cornerhouse, United Kingdom
The Peoples’ Coalition for Fisheries Justice (KIARA), Indonesia
Towards Ecological Recovery & Regional Alliance (TERRA), Thailand
Transnational Institute, Netherlands
Walden Bello, Philippines
Water Initiatives Odisha, India
World Rainforest Movement, Uruguay

February 13, 2013July 28, 2015

Asean Rights Body Must Show It Is Relevant

The Nation: 13 February 2013

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), whose second set of commissioners were recently sworn in, should address the disappearance of Laotian social activist Sombath Somphone to show it is a relevant organisation with the teeth to promote and protect the basic rights of people in this region.

Magsaysay Award-winner Sombath went missing on December 15 while driving back home from his office in Vientiane. Closed-circuit TV footage shows him being stopped by police at a checkpoint before being led away by a group of unknown men in a pickup truck.

A week after the disappearance, Laotian authorities issued a statement that failed to explain the situation or to commit themselves to any action, and which only showed their intention to distance themselves from the case.

In mid-January, Laotian Ambassador to Geneva Yong Chanthalangsay told the United Nations Human Rights Council there was no new information, and repeated speculation that a personal or business conflict may have been behind Sombath’s abduction.

That’s the only action the authorities in Vientiane have taken so far. They have shown no further intention to investigate the case. The incident appears to be in danger of fading from public attention.

Authorities around the world, including officials from the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, have expressed concern over Sombath’s disappearance and have appealed to the government in Vientiane to pursue a transparent investigation and to do everything in its power to ensure his safe return.

Lawmakers from some Asean countries visited Vientiane last month but returned without a clear answer about his fate. Continue reading “Asean Rights Body Must Show It Is Relevant”

February 10, 2013July 28, 2015

Chinese media cover the case of Sombath

The China Southern Weekly has published a long article about the disappearance of Sombath Somphone, including reference to this website. Based in Guangzhou, the outspoken Southern Weekly has faced its own difficulties in recent weeks (see here).

Introduction: “An effort to locate one woman’s missing husband has brought the Lao government unexpected international pressure, as the future of the country’s national image has been bound to Sombath Somphone’s disappearance and prospects for safe return. Analysts have even interpreted Sombath’s mysterious disappearance as a sign of the direction of political developments in the country. These international concerns are without doubt not good news a country which entered the WTO only two months ago.”

The entire article (in English and Chinese) can be downloaded here.

February 8, 2013September 14, 2017

Resolution of the European Parliament

The case of Sombath Somphone was discussed at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasboug today (7th February 2013). You can watch a video of the debate on YouTube.

The resolution was passed unanimously, with the following 9 points:

The European Parliament…

Expresses its deep concern about the disappearance, safety and well-being of Sombath Somphone;
Is concerned about the tardiness and lack of transparency of the investigation into the disappearance of Sombath Somphone; calls on the Lao authorities to undertake prompt, transparent and thorough investigations, in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law, and to ensure the immediate and safe return of Sombath Somphone to his family;
Calls on the HR/VP to closely monitor the Lao government’s investigations about the disappearance of Sombath Somphone;
Asks the Lao authorities to reaffirm publicly the legality and the legitimacy of the work for sustainable development and social justice, in order to counter the intimidation provoked by disappearances such as of Sombath Somphone;
Welcomes the visit of a group of ASEAN parliamentarians to Laos in January 2013 to seek information about Sombath Somphone and calls on the ASEAN Human Rights Commission to establish an inquiry Committee to investigate the events surrounding the enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone;
Calls on the EU to put Laos among its priorities for the 22nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council;
Stresses that the Lao authorities should take all necessary steps to end the practice of arbitrary arrests and secret detention; calls on the Lao authorities to make enforced disappearance a criminal offense and to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance; stresses that enforced disappearances are clear violations of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms;
Calls on the Government of Laos to respect the rights of expression and association, the rights of minorities and protect the right to freedom of religion or belief ending all restrictions on the exercise of this right, as recommended at the UN Universal Periodic Review on 21 September 2010;
Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Government and Parliament of Laos.

The full text of the resolution can be seen here.

February 7, 2013July 28, 2015

Fundraising for Sombath

A webpage has been created to raise funds to support the campaign to find Sombath Somphone. Please contribute by visiting this page.

Donations will help pay for the following:

a thorough and proper investigation of the case
negotiations for Sombath’s return
maintaining media attention (including printing campaign materials)
rewards for information
communication and organizational support

February 5, 2013December 30, 2015

Urgent Appeal of Parliamentarians across Asia and Europe

Urgent Appeal of Parliamentarians across Asia and Europe for Mr. Sombath Somphone

February 5, 2013

His Excellency
Thongsing Thammavong
Prime Minister
People’s Democratic Republic of Laos

Dear Excellency,

Re: Request urgent investigation into the disappearance of Mr. Sombath Somphone

We, members of parliament across Asia and Europe, write to you deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of Mr. Sombath Somphone one of the most prominent Lao co-organizers of the Asia Europe People’s Forum 9, the founder and former Director of PADETC and one of the most respected and influential voices for sustainable people-centred and just economic and social development in Laos as well as in Asia.

Mr. Sombath Somphone has been missing since about 5 pm on Saturday December 15th 2012. His wife and colleagues last saw Mr. Sombath Somphone on December 15 at 5 pm when he left the PADETC office in Vientiane to go home. He left the office in his own car; his wife was in another car. He did not reach home and his family has had no news from or about him since then.

We are concerned about his safety, his state of health and his well-being.

We are aware that the International Organising Committee of the Asia Europe People’s Forum has worked intensively with Mr. Sombath Somphone over the last year. His contribution to the successful Asia Europe People’s Forum 9 in Vientiane on the 16-19 October was extremely significant, widely recognized and deeply respected. In addition he is a highly respected educationalist, inspiration for sustainable development and a recipient of the prestigious international Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2005. He has dedicated his life to sustainable development and poverty reduction in the Lao PDR, and has contributed positively to numerous international processes, including the AEPF9. Mr. Sombath is an inspiration to development practitioners all over the world.

We are deeply concerned for Mr. Sombath’s safety and well-being and his disappearance is cause for great alarm.

We urge the Lao Government to immediately and urgently initiate an investigation into Mr. Sombath’s disappearance. And, we call on the government to undertake all actions necessary to ensure his immediate safe return to his family.

Yours sincerely,

SIGNATURES Continue reading “Urgent Appeal of Parliamentarians across Asia and Europe”

February 5, 2013December 26, 2015

Australians call on Bob Carr to act

Senator, the Hon Bob Carr
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Level 10, Bligh House
4 – 6 Bligh Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Fax 02 9228 3655

Monday 4 February 2013

Dear Sir,

We are writing to express our profound concern about the disappearance of respected Lao development leader, Mr. Sombath Somphone.

Sombath is the founder and former director of the Participatory Development Training Centre, a winner of the Magsaysay award and a tireless worker for sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of people in rural Laos.

Sombath was last seen by his wife who was driving ahead of him, on the evening of December 15th in the Lao capital Vientiane, as the couple returned home in separate cars. CCTV footage released by the Lao police shows Sombath stopping at a police post and leaving his vehicle. The footage then shows his jeep being taken away by someone else. He was next seen getting into a pick up truck with two other men and being driven away.

His family has had no contact from him since.

The only official comment on the matter made by the Lao Government so far has been to deny Sombath is in police custody and any knowledge of his whereabouts, and to speculate he could have been the target of a kidnapping. Continue reading “Australians call on Bob Carr to act”

February 5, 2013August 6, 2015

Third letter from Sombath’s wife

Third Appeal to the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Ng Shui Meng, Wife of Sombath Somphone, 30 January 2013

This is my third appeal to the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to release information or results of investigation of the disappearance of my husband, Sombath Somphone, on the evening of 15 December 2012.

Today is the 45th day since my husband’s disappearance and I have done all I can to cooperate with the police and provided information to assist the investigation and find my husband as quickly as possible. I have also met with the National Assembly Vice-President and his staff to appeal to the National Assembly, as the representatives of the people, to urge the police to expedite the investigation. But all these efforts have not yielded any concrete information related to the progress of the investigation, other than statements that “the police are still investigating”.

There are still no answers to my queries regarding:

What did the police manning the police post the evening of Sombath’s disappearance on 15 December 2012 said what happened that night, and what did they see?
Whether the motorcyclist who drove away Sombath’s jeep has been identified?
Has Sombath’s jeep (License plate No.: 2624) been found?
Whether the white truck with flashing lights that stopped at the police post and took my husband away been identified?
Has the driver of the white truck who drove away with my husband been questioned?
If the footages were too blurry, as claimed by the police, has the Ministry of Public Security sought technical assistance from any other government or international security agencies? Are they too blurry for the entire Tha Deua Road CCTV cameras?
Has the Lao police issued an Interpol Yellow Notification to inform colleagues in the region about Sombath’s disappearance and sought their assistance?

To all these questions I have not had any satisfactory answers. Continue reading “Third letter from Sombath’s wife”

February 4, 2013July 28, 2015

Police report on the disappearance of Mr Sombath Somphone

Vientiane Times, 4 Feb 2013

[Note: The video can be seen here]

(ທ່ານສາມາດອ່ານລາຍງານຂ່າວພາສາລາວທີ່ນີ້.)

The Ministry of Public Security has produced a preliminary report on their ongoing investigations into the disappearance of Mr Sombath Somphone.

Here is the full text of the report as received by the Vientiane Times :
Briefing on the result of the preliminary investigation on the case of Mr Sombath Somphone’s disappearance by Police Colonel Dr Phengsavanh Thipphavongxay, Deputy Director General, General Police Department on 11 January 2013.

Pursuant to the request for assistance to find a missing person by Ms Ng Shui Meng, spouse of Mr Sombath Somphone, dated 17 December 2012.
Based on its mandate and legal duty and assignment given by the Minister of Public Security, dated 17 December 2012 to the Department of General Police together with the Vientiane Police Headquarters to conduct the search for Mr Sombath Somphone.
Based on the establishment of the committee in charge of solving the case in collaboration with the Vientiane Police by the General Police Department No. 1670/PL, dated 20 December 2012.

Following the investigation, information collection, and news from various sources, I, on behalf of the committee in charge of solving this case, would like to brief on the preliminary result of the investigation as follows:

1. There were collaboration and cooperation with various concerned technical departments of the Public Security Ministry and Vientiane Police officers to jointly search for Mr Sombath Somphone, especially to review the information from the CCTV footage of the incident recorded on the date. According to the footage, at 18:03 hours the traffic police conducted a regular random check for car documents, and among those checked cars there was a check on a Jeep resembled to the car reported in the incident. It was found that the driver walked out of the car and went to the area around the back of the Jeep. Continue reading “Police report on the disappearance of Mr Sombath Somphone”

February 4, 2013July 28, 2015

Sombath Somphone & Beyond: Human Rights Violation in the Mekong Region and Its Impacts on Mekong Youth

(A Thai PBS news report on this event is available here.)

Music for Peace and Mekong Youth Discussion
Tuesday, February 5, 2013, 15.00-19.30pm
Pridi Banomyong Park, Thammasart University (Main campus)

It has been a month and a half since December 15, 2012 when Sombath Somphone, a renowned Laos civil society leader went missing. Even with an important evident from street’s CCTV where Sombath was last seen in Vientiane, the Laos capital showing that he was stopped by the traffic police and being taken by a group of men, there is still no clear explanation of what really happened to him and where he is. The whole world keeps asking the same question, “Where is Sombath?” to the Laos government and the movement to ask for the safe return of Sombath has become the global action.

Sombath Somphone has been one of the key supporters to youth network, both in Laos and Mekong region. The human Rights violation to Sombath is therefore consider a major destructive matter that weakens not only the human rights standard of Mekong and ASEAN region, but also the future of youth movement. Yet, the similar human rights violation has still going on in the Mekong region. According to a report of Justice for Peace Foundation, there are more than 200 citizens went missing in relate to the conflict in three southern provinces of Thailand.With and without the report to the eye of public, such violation also going on in other Mekong countries in China, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam in different forms.

The youth network believe that such violation to basic human’s right and humanity of people in our countries should be ended, and believe that everyone, especially the young generation, should take part in questioning and bringing significant change to create a more peaceful society for our better future.

On February 5, 2013, Thailand’s youth groups, NGOs and academic alliances, together with Mekong youth network will co-organize the Music for Peace and Mekong Youth Discussion under title “Sombath Somphone& Beyond: Human Rights Violation in the Mekong Region and Its Impacts on Mekong Youth” in Thammasart University (main campus). This event, combining between the youth discussion, music and exhibition by numbers of professional musicians and representative from Mekong youths,aims to bring the message of peace, love, and harmony among Mekong countries to the citizens of the region and to invigorate young Mekong peace-builders. The event also aims to collect the sign-on petition and messages that will be pass on to relevant groups for Sombath’s safely return. Let us work together to encourage our advocates, young and experienced, to overcome such fear and violence and create a real peaceful society for all.

For more information, please contact;

Ms. Jaruwan Supholrai, Thai Volunteer Service Foundation

Tel: 08 1072 2714 Email: [email protected]

Ms.Saksinee Emasiri, Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies, Mahidol University,

Tel: 08 5212 1980 Email: [email protected]