On 15 December 2019, to mark the 7th anniversary of the enforced disappearance of Lao civil society leader Sombath Somphone, Manushya Foundation joined 87 international civil society organisations in a statement urging Laos and Thailand to investigate the enforced disappearance and reveal the fate of Sombath Somphone, as well of Od Sayavong, another Lao human rights activist who went missing in Bangkok on 26 August 2019.

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In the statement, the organisations call for both governments to comply with international standards and finally lead a clear, thorough and impartial investigation on what happened to the two activists, to resolve all cases of enforced disappearances that happened in their countries and to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which both countries signed in September 2008 and January 2012 respectively. Finally, the organisations call for the international community to use the upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Laos to demand the Lao government promptly and effectively investigate the enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone.