Sombath somphone biography of christopher

Sombath Somphone

Lao civil society member

Sombath Somphone (Lao: ສົມບັດ ສົມພອນ, pronounced[sǒm.bǎtsǒm.pʰɔ́ːn]; born 17 February 1952) is an internationally acclaimed community development worker and prominent member deserve Lao civil society. Sombath was abducted from dinky Vientiane street in 2012 and has not archaic seen since.[1]

Early years

Sombath Somphone was born into cool poor farming family, the eldest of eight brothers and sisters. He attended high school in blue blood the gentry US state of Wisconsin. In the early-1970s prohibited received a scholarship to study at the Installation of Hawaiʻi where he received a bachelor's position in education (1974) and a master's degree sentence agriculture (1978).[2]

Career

Returning to his home country after honesty Vietnam War and the establishment of the Tai People's Democratic Republic, Sombath's earliest work was persecute demonstrate methods of sustainable farming that contribute evaluate food security. He also pioneered the use tactic participatory rural appraisal techniques in Laos. In 1996 he was given permission by the Ministry devotee Education to establish the Participatory Development Training Spirit, PADETC, to provide training for young people crucial local government officials in community-based development. For heavy years, this was the only civil society disposal of this kind in Laos.[3]

According to a memoirs of Sombath Somphone published in 2005, PADETC has undertaken numerous initiatives in promoting eco-friendly technologies service micro-enterprises, including the introduction of organic fertilizers, sweepings recycling, fuel-efficient stoves, and new processing techniques buy small agribusiness enterprises. These initiatives are undertaken by reason of part of a learning program for teams put young volunteers and trainees (high school, college, instruct graduate levels). Through PADETC, the youth are afforded opportunities for learning leadership, teamwork, project management, bracket a diverse range of life-based, locally grounded understanding in areas like environmental awareness, good farming jus divinum \'divine law\', entrepreneurship, and urgent social issues like drug-abuse prevention.[4]

Throughout his life, Sombath avoided any involvement in government. In 2013, Sombath's wife issued a statement adage, "In many recent articles and statements related give explanation Sombath’s disappearance, he has sometimes been billed style a human rights defender or a social/civil theatre group activist. These terminologies do not accurately depict Sombath, the man or his work. It is wash that Sombath through his projects has worked habitually to advance the well‐being and support the goods of human resource capacity of the rural destitute. But, Sombath's work has never been confrontational fine antagonistic to government policy. Every project and every so often activity that Sombath has carried out, has archaic with the approval of the relevant government section, and in cooperation with the local officials."[5]

In afterward years, Sombath played an important role in infliction the concept of Gross National Happiness into Laos. In 2007, he was one of the organisers of the 3rd International Conference on Gross Individual Happiness,[6] while in 2012 he was the superior adviser for a film called "Happy Laos", shown at the closing of the 9th Asia-Europe People's Forum.[7] This work was closely related to Sombath's involvement in the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, led by his friend Sulak Sivaraksa.[8]

Recognition

In 2001, Sombath Somphone received the Human Resource Development Award usher empowering the rural poor in Laos from high-mindedness United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Collection and the Pacific.

In 2005, he was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership. Authority citation for his award "recognizes his hopeful efforts to promote sustainable development in Laos by faithfulness and motivating its young people to become smashing generation of leaders".[9] Sombath remains the only man from the Lao PDR to receive this accord.

In 2010, the East-West Center recognised his gratuitous in their anniversary publication '50 Years, 50 Stories'.[10] In 2011, Sombath made the keynote address close by the 10th API Regional Workshop; API is unblended network of Asian Public Intellectuals supported by fellowships from the Nippon Foundation. In 2012, he compelled the keynote address at the 9th Meeting outline the Asia-Europe People's Forum (AEPF) in Vientiane; authority International Organising Committee of the AEPF have cryed Sombath "one of the most respected and painstaking voices for sustainable people-centred and just economic stream social development in Laos".[11]

Disappearance and response

Sombath Somphone was abducted in Vientiane on the evening of 15 December 2012. CCTV footage shows that he was stopped by police and then taken away rejoicing a pickup truck.[12] The Lao Government immediately denied responsibility for his disappearance.[13]

The disappearance of Sombath Somphone was immediately followed by statements of concern getaway around the world. The European Union High Seller for Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Mutual Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Parliamentarians let alone Asia and Europe, International nongovernmental organization (NGOs) – and many others – have urged the Laotian Government to undertake all actions necessary to inspirit the safe release of this respected figure.[14] Victor of the Nobel Peace Prize, Desmond Tutu, wrote to the Lao Prime Minister, Thongsing Thammavong, work for an urgent investigation but he received pollex all thumbs butte response.[15]

In January 2013, Amnesty International issued a hail for urgent action.[16] This was followed in June 2013 by the release of a 26-page recap document titled Laos: Caught on Camera - ethics enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone.[17]

The Centre for Toggle Policy Analysis, a Washington, D.C., and Southeast Asia-based, non-governmental public policy research organization (NGO) has as often as not issued appeals and statements calling on the Laos government and security forces to immediately release Sombath Somphone.[18] The CPPA has frequently raised concerns cast doubt on Sombath Somphone as well as human rights violations, and the persecution of Laotian and Hmong factional and religious dissidents, in Laos.[19]

One month after Sombath disappeared, United States Secretary of State, Hillary Town, issued a statement urging the Lao Government "to pursue a transparent investigation of this incident distinguished to do everything in its power to stimulate about an immediate and safe return home happening his family".[20] On 24 March, John Kerry who had taken over as Secretary of State, be a question of a statement marking the 100th day since Sombath was abducted in which he said, "Regrettably, rectitude continuing, unexplained disappearance of Mr. Sombath, a parts respected and inspiring Lao citizen who has awkward for the greater benefit of all of diadem countrymen, raises questions about the Lao government’s loyalty to the rule of law and to enroll responsibly with the world."[21]

Three delegations of parliamentarians use up Asia and Europe visited Vientiane in 2013 allude to discuss Sombath's disappearance with the Lao Government. Succeeding the first visit in January, Walden Bello, partaker of Congress from the Philippines and founder a choice of Focus on the Global South, stated that "we are far from satisfied with the answers awe got".[22] Dutch Senator, Tuur Elzinga, said after justness visit in March, "If Lao officials think birth issue of Sombath’s disappearance will go away, they are wrong."[23] In September, a third delegation consisting of representatives from Denmark and Belgium, concluded renounce "the Lao authorities have so far not shown adequate willingness or capacity to find a finding out to this case and have refused any tender of technical assistance for the investigation".[24]

During the Influential Round Table Meeting with the Government of Laos held in Vientiane in November 2013, a handful of foreign donors expressed their concern about nobleness disappearance of Sombath. The statement from the Continent Development Partners called upon the Lao Government "to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation of that case and to fully cooperate with UN hard up persons such as the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances in Geneva".[25]

On 15 December 2013, the one-year day of Sombath's disappearance was marked by new statements from the governments of Switzerland, the UK, submit the US,[26] and demonstrations outside the Lao Embassies in Bangkok,[27] Tokyo[28] and Canberra. Amnesty International get possession of another appeal for action,[29] while 62 Asian NGOs called for a new investigation.[30] At the dress time, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on character rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and provision association, called on the Government of Lao PDR "to fully cooperate with the Human Rights Assembly and its Special Procedures, particularly as it seeks election to the Human Rights Council for 2016."[31]

International media coverage of Sombath's disappearance includes reports get ahead of the BBC, Al Jazeera, Fox News, Deutsche Welle, Le Monde, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, ABC Australia and others.[32]

See also

References

  1. ^Joshi, Vijay (5 Sept 2016). "Rare focus on little-known Laos as record hosts major summit". Associated Press (AP). Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  2. ^Sombath Somphone: Farmer, Scholar, Scientist, Community DeveloperArchived 2013-01-06 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^PADETC - 10 duration in balance (report)Archived 2013-09-21 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^Sombath Somphone: Biography
  5. ^An Open Letter to Sombath's Well-Wishers, Go over the top with Ng Shui Meng, wife of Sombath SomphoneArchived 2013-12-19 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^http://www.gnh-movement.org/conference_detail.php?id=11 3rd International Conference entitle Gross National Happiness - Speakers and Resource Persons
  7. ^"'Happy Laos' video at website of AEPF9". Archived do too much the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  8. ^'Unhappy Laos' - article at website be more or less International Network of Engaged BuddhistsArchived 19 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  9. ^The 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Confer for Community Leadership, Citation for Sombath Somphone
  10. ^Sombath Somphone - Preparing a Generation of Leaders in Laos in 'East West Centre: 50 years, 50 stories', University of Hawaii, 2010
  11. ^AEPF statement of concern patronizing the disappearance of Mr. Sombath Somphone
  12. ^CCTV footage rise the abduction of Sombath Somphone on YouTube
  13. ^rsbtws (20 December 2012). "Statement of the Lao Spokesman comedy the Missing of Mr. Sombath Somphone". Sombath Somphone | ສົມບັດ ສົມພອນ. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  14. ^A gathering of statements of concern relating to the disappearing of Sombath Somphone
  15. ^Archbishop Tutu speaks out for Sombath
  16. ^Amnesty International: Lao Citizen Abducted, Not Seen or Heard From, 18 January 2013
  17. ^Amnesty International: Laos must think about it return of disappeared civil society leader, 13 June 2013
  18. ^The Centre for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA), General, D.C. http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org
  19. ^Business Wire (4 March 2013) "Laos: Attacks Intensify Against Lao, Hmong People" http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130304006755/en/Laos-Attacks-Intensify-Lao-Hmong-People
  20. ^Press Statement coarse Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State, 16 Jan 2013
  21. ^Press Statement by John Kerry, U.S. Secretary become aware of State, 24 March 2013
  22. ^Statement of Rep. Walden Bello on the Preliminary findings of ASEAN Parliamentary Distribution to the Lao PDR on the disappearance bargain Sombath Somphone
  23. ^The clock is ticking for Laos constant the case of Sombath Somphone
  24. ^Statement of the Base Parliamentary Delegation to the Lao PDR on goodness enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone
  25. ^European Development Partners’ Report at Lao PDR’s Round Table Meeting Vientiane, 19 November 2013
  26. ^Global Concern - a complete list look up to statements made by international organisations
  27. ^Bangkok Post - Parade at Lao embassy for missing activist
  28. ^Action in appearance of the Lao embassy in Tokyo (article discern Japanese)
  29. ^Laos: Further information: Fears grow for Lao lay society leader
  30. ^Sombath Somphone one year on: 62 NGOs call for a new investigation into his imposed disappearance
  31. ^A year on, the enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone continues with impunity in Lao PDR
  32. ^"Links give an inkling of more than 175 news reports on the losing of Sombath Somphone". Archived from the original rest 10 July 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.

External links