ASEAN Regional Coalition to POLITICAL PROFILE & CASE STUDY LAOS #StopDigitalDictatorship Myanmar 2023 Political Overview Vietnam Laos One-Party Parliamentary Socialist Republic in theory, authoritarian regime in practice. Head of State, Head of Government Thailand President Thongloun Sisoulith (de facto power), with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. Cambodia #FreeMuay �� �� �� CASE STUDY Environmental activists, particularly women human rights defenders fighting for corporate accountability and climate justice, face disproportionately high levels of repression under Digital Dictatorship for their activism, such as this Lao WHRD… Malaysia Houayheuang ‘Muay’ Xayabouly WHEN WHERE 12 September 2019 (arbitrarily arrested and detained) Champasak Province, Southern Laos. WHY/WHAT WHO �� 🗣 Muay is a woman human rights defender (WHRD) dedicated to exposing and speaking out against the injustices and human rights violations tied to foreign investment in her province in Southern Laos, including: 1. Corruption: Muay exposed the rampant buying and selling of government positions. 2. Business Ethics: Muay denounced the activities of Chinese enterprises and investment in Laos, which led to land grabbing. 3. Environmental Harm and Adverse Impacts on Local Communities: Muay exposed the chemical pollution from Chinese-owned banana plantations, adversely affecting the environment and the suffering of forced 4. Government Inaction: Muay highlighted the government’s inaction and inadequate assistance to communities affected by the 2018 Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam collapse and 2019 tropical storm floods. Houayheuang ‘Muay’ Xayabouly HOW ⚠ How Digital Dictatorship has caused the violation of Muay’s human rights: �� �� �� Muay was arbitrarily arrested and detained since September 2019, unjustly charged with “anti-state propaganda” under Article 117 of the Lao Penal Code for using Facebook live videos to criticise the government’s inaction while Lao people were severely affected and displaced due to heavy floods in Southern Laos. Muay also exposed the government’s corruption and harmful business practices. Following a trial that violated Muay’s right to due process, she was sentenced to 5 years in prison and fined 20 million KIP in November 2019. It must be noted that Muay was the main breadwinner for her family. Without her, Muay’s entire family is forced to continue without her support. While in detention, Muay was denied visitations from friends; only immediate family members were allowed. All her visits are highly monitored. Her mental and physical health have deteriorated, leading to depression and significant weight loss. September 2024 will mark 5 years since Muay was imprisoned. There is no updated news regarding her rights to be freed, despite UN human rights experts ruling her detention as arbitrary and calling for her immediate release. Manushya Foundation, #FreeMuay 4 Years Behind Bar- Honoring Muay's Fight for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Laos, (13 September 2023), available at: https://www.manushyafoundation.org/post/freemuay-4−years-behind-bars Learn more about our #FreeMuay Campaign: https://www.manushyafoundation.org/free-muay-from-jail-in-laos Sign Lao PDRour Change.org Petition to #FreeMuay from Jail in Laos! https://chng.it/5WKtFKN4V8 ✍ Arrests, litigation, and the other forms of harassment mentioned in this case study are just some examples of how Digital Dictatorship has affected the individual(s) mentioned, as well as Southeast Asian society as a whole. HRDs and/or journalists, including the one(s) in this case study, are often perpetually targeted by Digital Dictatorship in numerous ways 135 that go beyond just what is discussed here.