LAOS: Anousa Luangsuphom, a political activist from Laos who was shot dead at point-blank range in the chest and face, is still alive, rights activists said.
The 25-year-Anousa Luangsuphom’s family told Human Rights Watch (HRW) that he is recovering in a hospital after survived a shot in a cafe in the capital Vientiane.
The rights group said they had initially been told by people that he had died to protect him from being targeted again. This reflects the fear of dissidents in Laos, the group added.
HRW spokesman Phil Robertson said, “Friends and family told the people false news of his death because they were afraid if the gunman knew they had not succeeded in completing their task and they would return to kill him again.”
Sitting in a coffee shop, he was shot dead in the face and chest. According to the BBC, Anousa was in charge of the Facebook page “the Kub Kluen Duay Keyboard (Driven By Keyboard),” where users could openly criticize Communist authorities without fear.
Security cameras filmed the attack. Anousa is seen seated on the floor when a man carrying a gun enters the establishment wearing a brown long-sleeved shirt and a black cap. He then shoots Anousa twice before running away.
He passed away as he was being taken to the hospital. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the young activist was “one of the few people in Laos who openly and regularly expressed views that were critical of the government.” “This sends a loud and clear message that no one in Laos is safe who criticizes the government,” said Elaine Pearson, the organization’s Asia director.
HRW also criticized the Lao government’s “apparent apathy” towards bringing the activist’s murderer to justice. Government criticism has not yet gotten a reaction. The murder of Luangsuphom has received local media coverage.
According to HRW, the Lao government has regularly failed to respond to attacks against political activists, human rights supporters, and government critics.
