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#InternationalWomen'sDay #FreeMuay (Solidarity with MUAY)
Today, let us celebrate and remember the work of all the courageous Women Human Right Defenders who tirelessly advocate for human rights, sometimes at the price of their liberty.
On this important day, we would like to share with you the story of Muay, a courageous Lao WHRD, who bravely advocated for the rights of marginalized communities and exposed human rights violations in Laos.
For being outspoken about the government's corruption and destructive business practices in Laos, Muay was arrested in September 2019 and charged with "anti-state propaganda" under article 117 of the Lao Penal Code. Following a hasty trial, she received a 5-year sentence and a 20 million KIP fine and has been unfairly jailed since.
By sharing her story, we ensure that her work as a WHRD remains visible and relevant.
By sharing her story, we remind authoritarian governments such as the Lao government that they will not get away with impunity and that they must be held accountable for their actions.
(#WeAreManushyan ♾ Equal Human Beings)
Around the world, the role of WHRDs such as Muay is critical for the advancement of human rights. It is essential that we speak out and stand in solidarity with these courageous women. Together, let’s urge the Lao government to immediately release her and drop all charges against her!
Join us in sharing Muay’s story and making noise to get Muay out of jail!
🔗 Learn more about Muay’s human rights work and story, and Manushya’s efforts to release her: http://bit.ly/3XrJsl6
👉 Donate to Muay's family as Muay was the main breadwinner for her daughter and retired parents by clicking here: https://www.manushyafoundation.org/free-muay-from-jail-in-laos #LinkInBio
👉 Sign our CHANGE.ORG PETITION: chng.it/cPNjbLGhBN to #FreeMuay from jail in Laos!
👉 Share this post with your network and denounce the injustice!
👉 Use #FreeMuay to join the campaign and express your support for her. There is power in numbers!
While you are here...
➡️ Find out more about Manushya Foundation’s our campaign to #FreeMuay from jail:
#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.
➡️ Find out more about Manushya Foundation’s previous work on Laos:
News release: Nam Theun 1 Dam: Responsible Govts & Companies Must Ensure Safety of Communities living nearby!, 22 August 2022;
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, 23 July 2019;
Joint Submission with the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) to the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for Lao PDR Third UPR Cycle, 21 July 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, 20 August 2018;
News release: Laos must undertake transparent and independent investigations to ensure effective remedies for the victims of the am collapse – and Thailand should also bear responsibility, 20 August 2018.