ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship #PeoplePower | How Are People Resisting #DigitalDictatorship? Manushya Foundation’s Impact Litigation before the United Nations: Defending Muay Against Online Authoritarianism69 In the shadows of Lao PDR (Laos)’s authoritarian regime, Muay’s story emerged as a stark testament to the brutality endured by its citizens. Recognising the urgency of Muay’s case, her deserving of justice, and the need to tell the truth about #WhatsHappeningInLaos and the harsh realities faced by women human rights defenders, Manushya Foundation has been tirelessly advocating for Muay’s release since March 2020. It was critical to hold the Lao government accountable, by shedding light on the regime’s online authoritarianism and atrocities. At the forefront of Manushya’s efforts was the litigation before the United Nations to #FreeMuay. On March 30, 2020, Manushya, in collaboration with Humanity Beyond Borders, filed an international legal complaint70 against the Lao government. This complaint denounced the harrowing human rights violations endured by Muay and urged UN Special Rapporteurs to protect the victim. On July 13, 2020, following Manushya’s complaint, the United Nations issued a communication71 to the Lao government, requesting information and explanation regarding Muay’s case. The UN human rights experts, in their communication, expressed their concern « regarding the sentencing of woman human rights defender Ms Xayabouly for the legitimate exercise of her right to freedom of opinion and expression », and called for her immediate release. Lies, lies, lies, and more lies by Lao authorities to justify its digital dictatorship In October 2020, the Lao government released an official reply to the Joint Allegation Letter sent by UN Human Rights Experts on July 13, 2020. In their reply, Lao authorities rejected any allegation of wrongful conviction and human rights violations concerning Muay, and went as far as finding that “many information and allegations included in the said joint communication are inaccurate and twisted, and some are blatantly fabricated”.72 Manushya Foundation’s Continued Fight for Justice: Filing a Second UN Complaint for Muay Following the Lao government’s lies and their wrongful justification to detain Muay, Manushya decided to send another warning to the government, by filing a second complaint before the United Nations on December 15, 2020. This time, the international legal complaint73 was filed before a semi-judicial body, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD), to seek justice for Muay and address the inadequacies of the judicial system in an authoritarian regime like Lao PDR (Laos). In May 2021, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) ruled Muay’s arrest and subsequent detention as arbitrary, demanding her immediate release. In their opinion, the UNWGAD also condemned Lao PDR (Laos) for its persecution of Muay.74 The Lao government has yet to respond.75 134 Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia