Laos Denies Detentions

The Lao government dismisses reports of authorities detaining a group of pro-democracy protesters.

2009.11.06
Patuxaytower-305.jpg Tuk-tuks drive towards the Patuxay tower in the center of Vientiane, March 17, 2006.
AFP

BANGKOK—Laos denied Friday reports that it has detained people on their way to stage a pro-democracy protest in the Lao capital, saying the reports were "fabricated" to harm the country’s image ahead of two major events.

The Seattle-based Lao Students Movement for Democracy meanwhile reported that authorities had detained more than 300 people Nov. 2 as they tried to converge in the Lao capital, Vientiane, to stage a pro-democracy protest.

Most were quickly released, but the nine who remain in custody have now been moved to Samkhe Prison in Vientiane, the group said in a statement, dated Nov. 5 and written in Lao.

“RFA’s news does not have any foundation,” Lao Foreign Ministry spokesman Khenethong Nouanthasing said in a statement, referring to Radio Free Asia's initial report on the detentions.

“It has been  fabricated by people with bad intentions to tarnish the reputation and destroy the image of the Lao PDR [People’s Democratic Republic] as it is getting ready to celebrate its national day on Dec. 2, and host the 25th SEA Games in December as well,” he said.

Scores of people in several different groups were taken into custody, held briefly, and released on Nov. 2, Lao sources have said.

Those still detained have been identified as Ms. Kingkeo, 39; Mr. Soubin, 35; Mr. Souane, 50; Mr. Sinprasong, 43; Khamsone, 36; Mr. Nou, 54; Ms. Somchit, 29; Mr. Somkhit, 28; and Sourigna, 26.

They had planned to meet several hundred others at the Patuxay monument in Vientiane, according to sources who asked not to be identified.

Most were connected with the Oct. 26, 1999 student protests in the communist Southeast Asian country. Four of the leaders of that protest remain in Samkhe prison after one died in custody.

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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COMMENTS

Anonymous
Nov 06, 2009 06:45 AM

Yong Chanthalangsy should come clean and just admit to their own frabications about a "Democratic" Laos when it's really a one-party Hammer and Sickle flying authoritarian regime.

Anonymous
Nov 17, 2009 05:06 PM

Pack-lath know themselves and what they are doing badly to the country and to Lao people but they cannot stop because the old leader is still hanging around.
Wait until they pass-away, they might do. That killed thousands of lao people so they have to hold on as long as they
can! In my opinion everything has a limit and nothing can go on forever. We are lao
abroad and in should be corporated and it will go!
go!

Anonymous
Nov 08, 2009 10:50 AM

That is alway as usual Laos PDR has denied again and again like from the pass. They have to said "No" if they did it and "Yes" if they did not do it.

Anonymous
Nov 11, 2009 11:42 AM

Free Laos

Anonymous
Nov 17, 2009 03:10 PM

Lao Students need to be FREE! No More communist in Lao. Please ask for the US Government to be concern about the Freedom and Democracy in Lao PDR. Also, let bring the Subject of Free Christian in Lao PDR asap

Anonymous
Nov 10, 2009 11:56 AM

It's predictable that the mouth-piece of the Lao Predator Deceptive Republic would come out swinging to deny the existence of such arrest. This is typical ploy of the Lao communist. Back in October 1999, then another former mouth-piece of the LPDR, Done Somvorachit, denied that there was any demonstration and yet five of the key leader of the Lao Student Movement for Democracy have been jailed since and one of them died of the torture effected on him by the thugs.

Anonymous
Nov 24, 2009 07:24 AM

Well, no one can change your country, only you can change your country. Now is way passed your time to change your country. If you decided that you should gather and change, yet it is not too late. But you and your folks should reallized that Laos Government is not going to do any change to the country of Laos if Billions of dollars keep on coming into their pockets. Look at the officials' properties, they are Gods' and food are always there for them. They dont have to work or earn it. They sleep and eat.

Anonymous
Nov 07, 2009 02:31 PM

That's is the surge of pro-democratic movement which is presently happening everywhere in the world. Hopefully, the lamp of freedom will spread and prevail in every corner of this globe. Laos, you are not alone, the world community will side with you. Let carry on, success will be with you, downfall be with ruthless communist regimes.

Anonymous
Nov 06, 2009 02:52 PM

What happened to these folks now? We should do what is morally and legally for the country and all the Laotian people living in Laos and abroad. We should not be afraid to speak out when something is obviously wrong with the government. It has been over 34 years since LaoPDR took over but very little steady changed but not quick enough due to inferior. If we work together we can win the democracy in Laos.

Anonymous
Mar 19, 2010 01:32 AM

y'all with the negative comments need to stop man, i came to lao on a vacation, and decided to extend my stay. People here are so nice, most of the governemnt official here can speak english, even in the romote towns. If that is not education, what is. Man, 80% of the people in the staes, does not speak a second language. So y'all be nice, dont hate the world so much man.

Anonymous
Nov 06, 2009 11:00 PM

Now is the time to change the Lao PDR to Real Democracy. Justice, and respect Human rigth. No more communist regim in Lao and this world. Laos is very beautiful country. Let help to protect the mother land and let the new generation have more opportunity to lead and accept Lao Nork . No more one political party. Also. Lao Nork need to get invole more and support each other to bring back the peace to Lao Nation. please support and promote the prodemocacy in Lao

Anonymous
Nov 06, 2009 11:43 AM

RFA needs to counter the refute of the Minister of Foreign affairs of RDPL concerning the mass arrest of protesters Nov 2 2009 in Vientiane.The spokesman, Mr Khenethong Nouanthasing maintained as clearly as day light it was baseless and fabrication. And it seems to me that he put RFA reputation on the line. RFA needs to keep its integrity and credibility intact is burdened to dig out the truth.
The ball is in your court and we are waiting to hear from you..RFA?

Anonymous
Nov 12, 2009 01:33 PM

The communist regime wanted to take control of aids and money to divid it to their corruptors so they can afford better cars to drive, better house to live. To our Laos citizens, do not give up. We all should go protest and we all will sacrifice our lives in jail or even die for the world to see the one-party Dirty Laos communists regime.

Anonymous
Nov 06, 2009 09:00 AM

thao yong can not do anything.
He just talks, talks and talks.

Anonymous
Nov 12, 2009 09:43 PM

THE LAOS GOVERNMENT IS ESTABLISHED BY THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT, THEY ARE NOT EDUCATED TO BE SMART ENOUGH TO RUN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE VIETNAM WILL NOT PICK THE SMART PERSON SO THEY CAN FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTION ON EVERYTHING, EVEN TO KILL OUR OWN PEOPLE AND LIE ABOUT IT,TAKE OUR LAND AWAY FROM US AND GIVE IT TO VIETNAMESE. IT IS SAD BUT TRUE..DOES ANYONE KNOW ANY OF OUR LEADER WHO HAD GRATUATED FROM ANY LAW SCHOOL?