Urgent Action Update: Three Activists Sentenced to Prison In Secret Trial (Laos: UA 184.16)

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.

Contact these two officials by 28 June, 2017:

Prime Minister
Thongloun Sisoulith
Prime Minister’s Office
Lane Xang Avenue
Vientiane
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Fax: + 856 21 213560
Salutation: Your Excellency

Ambassador Mai Sayavongs,
Embassy of the Laos People’s Democratic Republic
2222 S St. NW, Washington DC 20008
T: 202.332.6416
F: 202.332.4923
Email: [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Ambassador

2) LET US KNOW YOU TOOK ACTION
Click here to let us know if you took action on this case! This is Urgent Action 184.16
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