.png)
🚨 Confirmed: Mr. Khaen is Dead ‼️Justice Must Follow ‼️
- Manushya Foundation
- Feb 23
- 7 min read
Updated: Mar 5
On 21 February, Mr. Khaen’s brother confirmed via a Facebook post that the motorbike found at the scene belonged to Mr. Khaen and stated that identification would take place on 22 February.
On 22 February, the same day Laos held national elections, Mr. Khaen’s brother publicly confirmed via a Facebook post that the deceased body found on 20 February is Mr. Khaen, 32-year old, born on 21 October 1994; and announced funeral arrangements to be held on 23 February 2026 at 13.30 PM. That post was later deleted. Screenshots of the original post continue to circulate online.
On 23 February, the Head of Houay Teuy Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital, issued a Letter of Certification stating that claims circulating online by Mr. Montha that his brother, Mr. Sisay Luangmonda (Mr. Khaen), died on 21 February 2026 and that a cremation ceremony was scheduled for 23 February 2026 at 13:30 at Houay Teuy Village Cemetery are “entirely without merit and completely false.”
The Village Administration further requests that relevant authorities assist in tracking and investigating the individual who made the alleged false claim in order to proceed with legal action in accordance with the law.
Observations: The public confirmation of death, the subsequent deletion of the post, and the issuance of an official letter denying the death claim present contradictory public records. These inconsistencies raise serious concerns regarding transparency, due process, and the safety of the family member involved.
A translation of the letter from Lao to English are provided below ⤵️
Letter of Certification Village
Head – Houay Teuy Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital
This is to certify that the family of Mr. Montha has never reported the death (which is a fraudulent claim) of Mr. Sixay Lueangmonetha, born on October 21, 1994. It was falsely alleged that he passed away on February 21, 2026, at the age of 32, with a cremation ceremony scheduled for February 23, 2026, at 13:30 at the Houay Teuy Village Cemetery.
I hereby confirm that the claim made by Mr. Montha regarding the death of Mr. Sixay Lueangmonetha is entirely without merit and completely false. Therefore, the Houay Teuy Village Administration requests that the relevant authorities assist in tracking and investigating this perpetrator (the person making the false claim) to proceed with legal action in accordance with the law. The Village Administration has issued this certificate to serve as official evidence.
Presented with the highest respect.
At Houay Teuy Village,
Date: February 23, 2026
Village Head
(Signed and Stamped)
Bounthavy LAOIN
Later on the same day, Mr. Khaen's brother posted on his Facebook (see screenshot with English translation below) that the funeral rites are finished and they have stopped accepting donations.
On 24 February 2026, the same Village Head issued a follow up statement confirming the death of Khaen and declaring that his previous statement was issued due to a misunderstanding between the family, him, and the temple hosting the funerals.
English Translation of Official Incident Report Record:
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Peace, Independence, Democracy, Unity, Prosperity
Xaythany District
Public Security Group (Police), Dong Dok
Houay Teuy Village
No. 249/BT.H.T.
Public Clarification Notice
Subject: Regarding the funeral of Mr. Sisay Luangmontha (Bao Mor Khaen)
At the Houay Teuy Village Office, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital, on February 24, 2026, at 3:30 PM, three parties met to discuss the reports regarding the passing of Mr. Sixay Lueangmonetha (Bao Mor Khaen). The three participating parties were as follows:
1. First Party: The Houay Teuy Village Administration.
2. Second Party: The President of the Thai Daeng Cemetery Association (Burials).
3. Third Party: The family of Mr. Sixay Lueangmonetha.
The three parties met to clarify the news circulating on social media, specifically on the Facebook page named "LaNa." The discussions are summarized as follows:
Regarding Mr. Sixay Lueangmonetha, it is confirmed that he passed away on February 21, 2026.
Information posted on Facebook stated that his body was brought for cremation at the Houay Teuy Village Cemetery. In reality, the body was not cremated at the Houay Teuy Village Cemetery. Instead, the family buried the body at the Thai Daeng Association Cemetery located in Houay Teuy Village. This cemetery is under the direct management of the President of the Thai Daeng Cemetery Association, not the Houay Teuy Village Administration. However, the Thai Daeng Association had placed a sign identifying it as "Houay Teuy Village Cemetery." This incorrect signage led to public confusion.
Consequently, all three parties have requested the President of the Thai Daeng Association to install a new sign clearly identifying the site as the "Thai Daeng Association Cemetery at Houay Teuy Village," and specifying that it is strictly for traditional burials (burials only).
The boundaries of the Houay Teuy Village Cemetery and the Thai Daeng Association Cemetery are adjacent to one another.
The Head of Houay Teuy Village confirms that his previous statement—that the body was not buried at the Houay Teuy Village Cemetery, was correct. The burial took place at the Thai Daeng Association Cemetery. The misunderstanding arose because the cemeteries are connected and due to the misleading signage. For any future matters regarding the Thai Daeng Association Cemetery, the public should contact the Association President directly, as it is not managed by the Houay Teuy Village Administration.
Therefore, all three parties have jointly issued this clarification to ensure the public is clearly and accurately informed.
Signed:
Bounthavy LAOIN, Head of Houay Teuy Village
Mr. Vongkeo
Representative of the Deceased’s Family
Mr. Khaen's brother has also shared this new statement on his personal Facebook page in support of clarifying the details.
The public confirmation of death, the subsequent deletion of the post, and the issuance of an official letter denying the death claim present contradictory public records. These inconsistencies raise serious concerns regarding transparency, due process, and the safety of the family member involved.
Background: What Happened?
Yesterday, 22 February, as Lao citizens were called to vote, Mr. Khaen, a known government critic, was confirmed dead.
Repression in Laos
This is not an isolated tragedy. It reflects a deeper crisis of civic space in Laos, where dissenting voices face intimidation, disappearance, and deadly consequences.
(See Manushya’s extensive, evidence-based documentation of State repression against Lao human rights defenders: 2025 CESC Report, 2024 UPR Report and 2024 CEDAW report).
A “mini North Korea”
What does voting mean in an authoritarian one-party state where dissent is unsafe?
Laos has no political pluralism. There is only one ruling party. Critics disappear. Independent media does not exist. Civic space is suffocated.
For years, Laos has operated as one of the most closed political systems in the region - a de facto “mini North Korea” in Southeast Asia - where fear, surveillance, and repression replace democratic accountability.
The international community must stop pretending otherwise.
Mr. Khaen’s Death is Not Just a “Motorbike Accident”
The rescue report noted that alcohol was found at the scene. The presence of alcohol does not erase the timeline of disappearance and reported abduction. There is serious and legitimate concern that this death may be presented as a motorbike accident by Lao authorities. The truth must be established through full transparency.
This is not the first time a Lao democracy activist has been found dead near a motorbike, with such deaths presented to the public as simple accidents.
In recent years:
Ms. Bounleut was found dead near her motorbike in June 2024, months after participating in the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) in February 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Mr. Maythong Sanbounkhounxay was found dead near his motorbike in September 2023, months after participating in the APFSD in March 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The pattern is deeply alarming.
When critics are repeatedly found dead near motorbikes, in forested areas, following public engagement in regional advocacy spaces, these cases cannot be dismissed as routine accidents.
Read the August 2025 UN Experts’ Communication (LAO 2.2025) to the Lao government demanding answers on investigations into the enforced disappearances and deaths of Lao human rights defenders.
🌏 Emerging global attention
The World Wants To Know: What happened to Lao activist Mr. Khaen? 🇱🇦
Mr. Khaen’s death is no longer unfolding in silence. Media outlets across the world are increasingly scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding his death and the broader pattern of repression facing critics in Laos. This growing coverage reflects mounting global concern over shrinking civic space, recurring enforced disappearances, and the troubling number of activist deaths reported as “accidents.” As attention builds, so too must pressure for transparency, independent investigation, and accountability.
Recent coverage by media and human rights global networks on Mr. Khaen's case and Manushya Foundation's voice includes:
Human Rights Watch — "Laos: Investigate Prominent Dissident’s Death, Bao Mor Khaen’s Body Found 6 Days after His Enforced Disappearance" Human Rights Watch urges Lao authorities to impartially investigate the suspicious death of Mr. Khaen, an outspoken critic of the government and appropriately prosecute those responsible.
AsiaNews — “Laos election without plurality: anti-corruption activist found dead”
Radio France Internationale (RFI) — “Laos: political opponent disappears days before legislative elections”, featuring Manushya Founder Emilie Palamy Pradichit warning that enforced disappearances are used to silence dissent
La Croix — “L’inquiétante disparition d’un militant critique du régime” — with Manushya Founder Emilie Palamy Pradichit highlighting concerns that Laos is becoming the “mini North Korea of Southeast Asia”
Le Monde — “In Laos, the death of influential critic of the government ‘Mr. Khaen’ raises fears of another political assassination”
The Straits Times — “Outspoken Laos lawmaker’s election exit sparks rare dissent”, with a statement from Manushya Founder Emilie Palamy Pradichit describing the escalating repression and transnational repression among Lao activists amidst major political moments in Laos
The Diplomat — “Laos Elections Stained by Activist’s Death”
UCA News (Union of Catholic Asian News) — "Body of prominent Lao dissident found on a roadside: Death of Sisay Luangmonda confirmed six days after he was taken into custody"
As Decolonial & Intersectional Feminists, we refuse silence in the face of fear. We refuse narratives that dismiss suspicious deaths without scrutiny. We refuse a system where speaking out can cost you your life.
We call for:
An immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Khaen’s death.
Full disclosure by Lao authorities of forensic findings and the complete timeline of events.
The United Nations, international human rights mechanisms, and the diplomatic community to closely monitor this case and to urge the Lao government to guarantee accountability and protection for those who speak out.
✊🏽 Lao people deserve truth.
✊🏽 They deserve accountability.
✊🏽 They deserve justice.
We stand in solidarity with Mr. Khaen’s family.
We stand with all those who dare to speak.
🔎 Learn more: bit.ly/JusticeForKhaen
#WeAreManushyan ♾️ Equal Human Beings
Comments