Many suspect it was Sombath Somphone’s work empowering communities across Laos that led to his enfor
![Sombath Somphone won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2005 [AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/201412982240178734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)

Rupert Abbott is Amnesty International's research director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Many suspect it was Sombath Somphone’s work empowering communities across Laos that led to his enfor
![Sombath Somphone won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2005 [AP]](/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/201412982240178734_20.jpeg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)