ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship #FreeMuay from Jail! In another case, on Sept. 12, 2019, environmental In May 2018, Muay began to address corruption activist and WHRD, Houayheuang Xayabouly, –also in Lao PDR (Laos) by bringing attention to the known as “Muay”, –was arbitrarily arrested by buying and selling of government positions. Due to authorities for repeatedly criticising the Lao government Muay’s constant activism and criticism of rampant on Facebook. She was charged with defamation and government corruption in Lao PDR (Laos), her distributing anti-state propaganda under Article 117 employer was pressured by the government to fire of the Penal Code. Muay remained in custody until her from her tour guide job. After losing her job, her trial commenced more than a month later. During Muay began highlighting problems that resulted this time, she was denied communication with her from international businesses and investments in family and lawyer, and never had the opportunity the country which she witnessed while working in to challenge the legality of her detention. She was the tourism industry. In 2018, following the collapse also not allowed to appoint her own lawyer for her of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam,68 Muay spoke up summary trial in November that year. Following a about the consequences of the collapse and how it trial that violated Muay’s right to due process, she affected the communities in the South of Lao PDR was sentenced to five years in jail and fined LAK (Laos), and created Facebook videos while visiting 20 million. camps that housed displaced villagers. In a Facebook 64 As of December 2023, she remained in prison, serving the sentence. Muay’s online advocacy dates back to 2017, when she recorded a video to raise awareness of the financial burden caused against common tradespeople who had to use a bridge on the Chong Mek border with Thailand, and pay a toll, on a daily basis. She herself had been subjected to paying an excessive toll to video posted on Sept. 5, 2019, she criticised the slow response of the government in providing assistance to the victims of heavy floods in Southern Lao PDR (Laos), and brought attention to the failure of the government to learn from its shortcomings. The video was viewed more than 173,000 times, and caused her to be arbitrarily arrested and detained. cross the same bridge.65 Following the viral spread of the video, local law enforcement officers paid her a visit, warning her about expressing criticism towards the government.66 I cannot be silent as we have in the past. The era of the regime keeping the eyes and mouths of the people closed has come to an end.67 – “Muay”, Houayheuang Xayabouly Lao PDR 133