ASEAN Regional Coalition to #StopDigitalDictatorship Muay fearlessly used Facebook Live videos to expose government corruption, business abuses, and destructive practices that harm local communities and the environment, gaining widespread attention among the Lao audience. The popularity of her videos became evident; Muay vocalised what others were afraid to say, and what the Lao government couldn’t bear to hear.76 –Emilie Palamy Pradichit, Founder & Executive Director of Manushya Foundation Transnational Repression against Lao Blogger Citizen Journalist and Democracy Activists Joseph Akaravong: a Lao Blogger exposing environmental damages and corruption The risk faced by HRDs in Lao PDR (Laos) extends Joseph Akaravong made him a target of reprisal by beyond borders to include the threat of transnational the Lao government. He had to leave his motherland repression in neighbouring or safe countries, where in August 2018 and has been in hiding for many they are exiled to seek refuge. years for denouncing the corruption around the Similar to Muay, the online activism of Lao blogger failed construction of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy, which collapsed on July 23, 2018.78 He has been using Facebook as the main channel to advocate What is Transnational Repression? According to Freedom House’s definition, it is governments reaching across borders to silence dissent among diasporas and exiles, including through assassinations, illegal deportations, abductions, digital threats, Interpol abuse, and family intimidation.77 136 Dawn of Digital Dictatorship: Weaponizing the Law Against Online Speech in Southeast Asia