The Bishop of St Albans received the following written answers on 24th February 2025:
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to raise the case of civil society activist Sombath Somphone at the UN’s fourth Universal Periodic Review of Laos on 29 April.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab, FCDO): We remain very concerned as to the whereabouts of Mr Sombath Somphone. The UK regularly raises the disappearance of Sombath Somphone bilaterally and through the UN Human Rights Council. Most recently, on 15 December 2024 our Embassy in Laos publicly raised the disappearance and continued to push for a thorough and impartial investigation into this case. We intend to continue to raise the case at the highest levels and to continue to stay engaged with Sombath’s family who are still based in Laos.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what recent reports they have received on the whereabouts of Sombath Somphone.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington: There are no recent reports from the Lao authorities on the whereabouts of Sombath Somphone. During a bilateral meeting with the UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific in 2023, the Lao Government stated that they were continuing to investigate the disappearance but had no new information.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans asked His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to raise the case of civil society activist Sombath Somphone at the UN’s fourth Universal Periodic Review of Laos on 29 April.
Baroness Chapman of Darlington: The UK will continue to use the UN Human Rights Council as a platform to raise the case of Sombath Somphone and other human rights cases. In the upcoming Universal Periodic Review in April, the UK will urge the Lao Government to follow and implement the recommendations from Member States. This includes undertaking impartial, thorough, and transparent investigations into all enforced disappearances, including Sombath Somphone.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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