In a resolution adopted on September 14, 2017, the EP strongly condemned the harsh verdicts against the three government critics and called for their immediate release. FIDH and its member organisation, the Lao Movement for Human Rights (LMHR), had previously seized the UN on their detention, which was declared arbitrary on August 25, 2017. The EP resolution further highlights FIDH’s concerns over the increasing crackdown on government critics and human rights defenders protesting land disputes, allegations of corruption and abuse of power amidst a climate of widespread human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances.
The EP calls on the EEAS to highlight these issues at future meetings of the EU-Lao PDR Joint Committee and the next Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit and calls on the EU Delegation to Laos to « closely monitor the human rights situation in the country and, specifically, to be present at any proceedings held against Phimmasone, Thammavong and Chaithad, and to continue to raise the cases of jailed and missing individuals with the Lao authorities. »