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Photo source: dole777, via Unsplash, January 24, 2020.
13-03-2026 | Roberta Moisuc | Asia Team Researcher, Global Human Rights Defence.
A Lao social media activist was found dead on the 20th of February 2026, four days after his family had reported him missing to local authorities.
Sisay Luangmonda was a Lao social media activist, posting under the name Bao Mor Khaen. He had not been seen since February 14th, 2026, when soldiers reportedly arrested him and took him to Phonthan Prison. After his arrest, authorities have not provided his family members with any information about his whereabouts. Subsequently, on February 20th, 2026, his body was found on a roadside along with a motorbike in Hadxayfong district.
Sisay had received death threats related to his social media posts critisizing corruption. Family members have said that since his body was found, no formal investigation or forensic examination has been conducted. Similar to Sisay’s case, the bodies of other missing activists have often been found near their motorcycles. Government authorities have often dismissed such cases as motorcycle accidents.
Under international law, enforced disappearance refers to the detention of a person by state authorities and the refusal to acknowledge it and disclose their whereabouts. Laos has accepted multiple recommendations to address cases of enforced disappearances. Authorities should urgently and impartially investigate the death of Sisay Luangmonda and prosecute those responsible.
