On 18 June 2012, Mr Souvanh from Yeup village, Thateng District, Sekong Province and an active HRD working on land rights in his local community was arrested by the military. It is reported that he has been detained since his arrest at a provincial military jail, and that he has been given one meal per day and has not been allowed to meet his relatives and lawyer. Before their arrest, in the absence of progress on a solution, Souvanh and the seven human rights defenders had met with local authorities to demand better compensation for the villagers affected by the concession. They had also submitted a petition to the National Assembly, the Lao Front for National Reconstruction, and the Prime Minister's Office which responded by assigning provincial authorities to look into the dispute, although to this date, no action has been taken.

UN OHCHR