As the international community turns its gaze toward Laos for the upcoming Universal Periodic Review, the unyielding question remains: “Where is Sombath?” For over a decade, the plight of Sombath Somphone, who vanished amidst a backdrop of political repression and human rights violations, has echoed across the globe. The Lao government’s continuous denial and lack of accountability starkly reflect a broader pattern of impunity facing human rights defenders in the region. In solidarity, we call on member states to demand answers and justice for Sombath and all victims of enforced disappearances, reclaiming their voices from the silence that has overshadowed their struggles.
Demanding Justice: The Search for Sombath Somphone in Laos
