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Writer's pictureManushya Foundation
May 12, 2023

#JusticeForJack ✊🏼 The Battle for Jack’s Life: A Journey Across Borders!





#JusticeForJack ✊🏼 The Battle for Jack’s Life: A Journey Across Borders!


May 12, 2023 – Manushya Foundation is pleased to inform you that Jack is currently receiving the medical care he so needed outside of Laos!


Defying All Odds: Jack's Road to Safety, Health, and Healing

Because Jack’s condition was not improving in Laos, he and his family were deeply worried for his health if his wounds were not treated immediately. At their request, Manushya Foundation, advised by institutions with experience in medical evacuation, supported Jack's transfer to a foreign hospital in order for him to receive urgent, specialized medical care. At the request of the family, the urgent medical evacuation was conducted confidentially, following international standards and security protocols to ensure a smooth transfer abroad for Jack, who is emotionally impacted by the traumatic attack against him.


On 9 May 2023, Jack was medically evacuated abroad and on 10 May 2023, he underwent a successful surgical procedure in order to: (1) remove a bullet from his chest that was still stuck from the gunshot that occurred last 29 April 2023, and (2) repair his jaw, cheek, and tongue which were also badly damaged by another bullet that went from one side of his cheek to another. While still physically and emotionally worn out, Jack is now recovering well from the surgeries. A team of medical professionals is taking good care of him, having his well-being, privacy and safety as utmost priority.


Privacy and Protection: Why there were no updates on Jack’s health

While Jack, his family, Manushya Foundation, and supporting organizations understand that Jack’s supporters and all of those who deeply care for him might have worried about him and his health once the news leaked that he was medically evacuated abroad, we do hope everyone can understand and respect the need to abide by Jack’s own request, in line with international requirements and standards for privacy and patient confidentiality, which were instrumental to ensure a rapid, safe and smooth medical evacuation abroad and to provide him with the most urgent medical care.


In the interest of the success of the medical evacuation, it was advised not to post anything on social media to also ensure the safety and protection of Jack, his family, Manushya team and all parties supporting confidentially.


We would like to sincerely thank all the people who supported the medical evacuation of Jack, working day and night to make it happen fast, against all odds! You know who you are, and we, Jack and his family are so deeply grateful. We will always keep you in our hearts ❤️


We can’t wait for Jack to be fully healthy again, so he can share his own story to the world and express himself his gratitude, to all of you, from those who gave donations for his medical bills, to those who may wish to give or continue give donations, and to those who have been working efficiently and confidentially for his health and safety, without looking for glorification, but truly from their hearts.


We would also like to sincerely thank all the amazing emergency assistance organizations who are now working with us to secure the best financial assistance to Jack for his medical recovery 🙏


Our Unwavering Pursuit of Justice for Jack

Manushya Foundation's pursuit of #JusticeForJack will never be deterred or slowed down. We will continue to fight tirelessly until those responsible for Jack’s heinous attempted murder are found and held accountable for their crime. Our determination to promote human rights and protect the dignity and respect of all Human Right Defenders and Activists who speak their Truth to Power has never been stronger!

We greatly appreciate your understanding of the situation and express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved and who has supported Jack throughout his journey. We will keep you informed of Jack’s health conditions and of any further developments on his case! Stay tuned!


#WeAreManushyan ♾ Equal Human Beings




While you’re here, check out all our latest updates on our efforts to seek #JusticeForJack ⤵️


Want to know more about human rights in Laos? All you need to know about Manushya Foundation’s previous work on Laos ⤵️

  • News Release: Responsible governments and implicated companies must ensure safety and effective access to information of communities living near the Nam Theun 1 dam in Laos, August 23, 2022.

  • News Release: Lao Government and Implicated Companies Must Deliver Justice for Survivors of 2018 Attapeu Dam Collapse, July 26, 2022;

  • Follow-up UN Complaint to seek Justice for the Survivors of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy Dam Collapse, in Attapeu Province, Laos, February 28, 2022;

  • Individual Complaint to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) concerning the case of Houayheuang (“Muay”) Xayabouly, December 15, 2020;

  • Joint Complaint to the United Nations on the Human Rights Violations faced by Ms. Houayheuang Xayabouly (Muay), Lao Woman Human Rights Defender, March 30, 2020;

  • #Freemuay from jail in Laos: Campaign to Free Lao woman human rights defender Ms. Houayheuang Xayabouly (Muay) and stop the human rights violations against her;

  • Manushya’s Foundation UPR Factsheet to inform Lao PDR’s Third UPR: Overview of the Human Rights Situation in Lao PDR - Legal Framework, Challenges, Case Studies & Community-led UPR Recommendations, January 2020;

  • Joint Statement: One year after Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy dam collapse, civil society from Korea and the Mekong call for immediate accountability and redress, July 23, 2019;

  • Joint Submission with the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) to the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for Lao PDR Third UPR Cycle, July 21, 2019;

  • Manushya Foundation's Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights on the situation in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), March 2019;

  • Statement of the Thai Business & Human Rights Network on the Lao Dam Collapse, August 20, 2018;

  • News release: Laos must undertake transparent and independent investigation to ensure effective remedies for the victims of the dam collapse – and Thailand should also bear responsibility, August 20, 2018




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