…I am telling about the tears and despair of communities losing their land. I am telling about the restrictions on basic rights and the fear. I am telling about what happened before Sombath was abducted, the mounting pressure, the threats. And I am telling about development partners choosing to keep quiet. It is about the silent repression in Laos…

Aid agencies and international organizations working in Laos should not underestimate how the lack of freedom of expression, the many limitations imposed on local associations, the control of the media and on information are hampering fair and sustainable development in Laos…