Laos Detains 9 Planning Protest
2009-11-03
Ten years after a rare student uprising, nine people are in custody as they prepare a demonstration.
Tuk-tuks drive towards the Patuxay tower in the center of Vientiane, March 17, 2006.
BANGKOK—Lao authorities are detaining nine people said to have been travelling by road to the Lao capital to stage a pro-democracy protest, according to Lao sources who asked not to be named.
On Nov. 2, a convoy set out from the Nam Ngum dam area of Thalat in Vientiane province, heading to Vientiane by taxi when authorities intercepted them in Phone Hong town, some 60 kms from Vientiane and also in Vientiane province, at around 5 a.m., relatives said.
Scores of people were taken into custody, held briefly, and released. Five were still held early Wednesday at an undisclosed location, Lao sources said. They were identified as Ms. Kingkeo, 39; Mr. Soubin, 35; Mr. Souane, 50; Mr. Sinprasong, 43; and Khamsone, 36.
Two busloads carrying about 75 travelers each meanwhile set out from the south, and were detained in Pakading town some 70 kms from Vientiane in Borikhamxay province, witnesses said.
They had planned to meet several hundred others at the Patuxay monument in Vientiane, sources said.
The four bus passengers still in custody as of early Wednesday were identified as Mr. Nou, 54, detained in Pakkading, and Ms. Somchit, 29, Mr. Somkhit, 28, and Sourigna, 26, who were detained in Vientiane.
Family members confirmed that all nine were under arrest, sources who asked not to be named said.
Most were connected with the Oct. 26, 1999 student protests in the communist Southeast Asian country—four of whose leaders remain in Samkhe prison in Vientiane after one died in custody.
“What have the 1999 students done that is so terrible as to warrant death and life imprisonment?” a source in Laos asked.
“I am appealing to the international community and the United Nations to look out for the welfare of the Lao people and country. The Lao people are suffering.”
According to the Paris-based Lao Movement for Human Rights, the planned protest aimed at promoting “a real democracy, respect for human rights, cancellation of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Treaty of 1977, the release of all political prisoners, and a multiparty system.”
Original reporting by RFA’s Lao service. Lao service director: Viengsay Luangkhot. Executive producer: Susan Lavery. Produced in English by Sarah Jackson-Han.
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Lao PDR alway kill civil person or detainee,troture,rape,and deny all the time.
2009-11-14 21:22
Somxay,I think are support the LPDR,you better go and live overthere,not at the u.s.a
2009-11-10 13:56
In any situation, LPDR will always used 5 techniques to defend themselves. Those techniques are: <br> <br>1. We don't know <br>2. WE don't see <br>3. We don't hear <br>4. We don't have it. And <br>5. We don't do it. <br> <br>If you haven't learned anything about LPDR communism, tnem keep these 5 doctrines in your mind. These are the bad doctrines about communism.
2009-11-08 12:39
The communist Pathet Lao is counting their day to end their form of power. You can run but you cannot hide to bride the whole world. You will be ended up like Saddam Hussen. You are not the government from the people, by the people and for the people. You are a dictatorship for 34 years now. You cannot stop the power of the Lao people. This is a 21st. century not the twentieth century. I strongly urge the Laonai and Laonok to be united to dragging down the power of the dictatorship without delay to bring back the power to the Lao people for the sake of human beings. Shame on you.
2009-11-07 13:03
The chances of Muang Lao getting to host the SEA Game is small but Lao <br>got that opportunity to host this game. During this game, politics <br>should be put aside and all sides should come together and make this <br>event a success.
2009-11-07 08:34
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