According to sources, three Lao human rights activists, Soukan Chaithad, Somphone Phimmasone and Lodkham Thammavong, were sentenced to between 12 and 20 years’ in prison following a secret trial held in April 2017. Arrested in March 2016, and held incommunicado for over two months, they are prisoners of conscience and should be immediately and unconditionally released.
According to sources, three Lao human rights activists, Soukan Chaithad, Somphone Phimmasone and Lodkham Thammavong, were sentenced to between 12 and 20 years’ in prison following a secret trial held in April 2017. Arrested in March 2016, and held incommunicado for over two months, they are prisoners of conscience and should be immediately and unconditionally released. 1) TAKE ACTION Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:- Immediately and unconditionally release Soukan Chaithad, Lodkham Thammavong and Somphone Phimmasone, who are prisoners of conscience held solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights, to freedom of expression and assembly;
- Ensure that while detained they are treated humanely, in full accordance with international standards, including being allowed regular and frequent access to families, lawyers and adequate medical care;
- Make public the full details of the charges and criminal proceedings against them, and order an independent and efficient investigation into their enforced disappearance and bring those responsible to justice.