Laos: Dissident found dead as UN expert highlights strict restrictions on freedoms and reprisals against activists

Civic space in Laos is rated as ‘closed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. Laos is a one-party state in which the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) dominates all aspects of political life. The fundamental freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly remain severely restricted while impunity persists in cases of enforced disappearance, attacks and extrajudicial killings of human rights defenders and activists. Additionally, laws criminalising expression and media freedom create a climate of fear and self-censorship.

On 22nd February 2026, Laos held concurrent elections for the 10th Legislature and the Fifth Provincial People’s Councils. The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) has ruled for more than 50 years without political opposition. In this election, the LPRP approved a slate of 243 candidates to contest the 175-seat National Assembly which deliberates on national legislative matters, and 1,041 candidates for the 745-seat Provincial People’s Councils (PPC).

Valy Vetsaphong, one of the few lawmakers not aligned with the ruling party, withdrew her candidacy just days before the vote. Known for her efforts to combat financial crime and her criticism of the sale of national assets to China, her withdrawal was widely believed to result from significant political pressure, particularly given her strong popularity among younger Laotians on social media.

In recent months, a dissident was found dead after being forcibly disappeared while a UN report highlighted the restrictions on civil society and reprisals against human rights defenders. There is ongoing impunity for the attack on activist Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom while there are severe controls of the press.

Association

Dissident found dead after being forcibly disappeared

On 22nd February 2026, the same day Laos held national elections, Bao Mo Khaen (Sixay Lueangmonetha), an outspoken critic of the government and the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), was reported dead after his body was discovered in a forest in Dongphonhae village in Hadxayfong district, outside the capital, Vientiane. His brother later confirmed via a Facebook post that the body, initially found on 20th February, was indeed his, and that the motorbike discovered at the scene the following day also belonged to him.

Bao Mo Khaen was known for his outspoken criticism of hospital corruption, bureaucratic bribery, and his use of political satire, among other issues. Witnesses report that he was forcibly taken on 14th February 2026 by soldiers from the vicinity of a military camp and transported to Phonthan Prison, where he was allegedly held incommunicado.

Khaen is from Sam Tai District, Huaphan Province. According to Manushya Foundation, he has feared for his life since September 2025. In 2025, he was summoned for "legal training" at the Huaphan Provincial Office after he attempted to inquire about specific public information.

In late January 2026, he fled to Vientiane and rented a room to evade surveillance by local authorities. In early February 2026, he tried to obtain a "temporary border pass" to cross into Thailand using only his ID card. However, authorities denied his request, claiming "incomplete documentation," leading to suspicions that he had been officially blacklisted and banned from leaving the country.

Manushya Foundation and Human Rights Watch called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the death of Bao Mo Khaen, and urged the United Nations, international human rights bodies, and the diplomatic community to closely monitor the case and press for accountability and the protection of those who speak out.

The timing of the abduction of regime dissidents often seems to coincide with events of national significance. In 2012, Sombath Somphone’s abduction followed the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting and associated Asia-Europe People’s Forum. The 2023 assassination attempt against Jack Luangsuphom and the killing of Bounsuan Kitiyano were also widely perceived as efforts to suppress dissent before the commencement of Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship. In 2024, the disappearance of activists Xaysomphone Chilikham and Thao Bua Sawan Prommachan came during Laos’ ASEAN chairmanship.

UN report highlights CSO restrictions and reprisals against human rights defenders

On 20th February 2026, the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights released a report to the Human Rights Council during its 61st session, following a visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic from 19th–29th November 2024.

The report noted strict restrictions on speech, assembly and association and the tight control exercised over civil society organisations, along with harsh reprisals against human rights defenders and individuals deemed to be too critical, leading to self-censorship and fear.

The Special Rapporteur was informed that issues relating to development policies, businesses and relationships with China were among the most censored subjects. Further, while Decree No. 536 (2025), on associations, replaced Decree No. 238 (2017), introducing certain positive developments, significant concerns remain regarding compliance with the right to freedom of association under article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The very low number of registered non-profit associations in the country, estimated at approximately 250 at the time of the visit, illustrates the persistent practical barriers faced by individuals and groups in establishing and operating associations.

In addition, the prohibition on the establishment of associations by ethnic groups unduly restricts their ability to associate publicly around their cultural heritage and to have their specific needs recognised.

Concerns were also raised about acts of reprisal against human rights defenders, including those in exile. The UN Special Rapporteur expressed her great concern about what appeared to be a case of transnational repression against Joseph Akaravong. She further expressed concern at an alleged systematic pattern of transnational repression against individuals and groups critical of the authorities, which involved acts such as enforced disappearance, surveillance, intimidation and coerced repatriation, in violation of several provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) welcomed the report from the Special Rapporteur, stating that it confirms findings that UNPO and its member, the Congress of World Hmong People (CWHP), have consistently documented and submitted to UN mechanisms.

Ongoing impunity since the attempted murder of Lao activist Jack

On 29th April 2026, Manushya Foundation posted a message online on the ongoing failure to address the attempted murder of Lao activist Anousa “Jack” Luangsuphom three years ago.

As previously documented, human rights defender Anousa “Jack” Luangsouphom was shot by an unidentified person at a coffee shop in the Chanthabuly district of the Laos capital Vientiane on 29th April 2023. From the coffee shop’s CCTV footage, a masked individual can be seen entering the bar, approaching Jack, shooting him twice at close range in the face and chest, and immediately running away.

Jack has been a vocal critic of the Lao government. He ran two Facebook pages, “Driven by the Keyboard” and “Sor Tor Lor – the Republic”. Both pages feature posts on a wide range of social, environmental, economic and political issues in Laos, such as haze pollution, the human rights of school children and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) rights.

Manushya Foundation stated that this was not an isolated attack. It is part of a wider architecture of fear used to silence state critics. They noted that the UN has made recommendations directly relevant to Jack’s case: protect human rights defenders, investigate attacks, and end intimidation, harassment, and reprisals.

Expression

Severe controls on the press

In May 2026, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its latest World Press Freedom Index, placing Laos in 154th position out of 180 countries.

RSF noted that the government has almost total control over the Lao-language press. They are required to follow the party line dictated by the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), which is disseminated by the three dailies published by the ruling party.

The LPRP keeps the press under close surveillance and makes the creation of independent media impossible in the country’s national language.

Information is so tightly controlled that journalists have very little room to manoeuvre. Sharing information on social media about corruption involving the authorities, or any other sensitive topic, can lead to detention, violence and even murder.