Lao Human Rights News
A true elimination of the problem will only come with broader political change in the country. Is Laos’ ruling communist party building up to an anti-corruption campaign similar to the ones we’ve seen in China and Vietnam? Since Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith came to power in early 2016, more officials have been dismissed because of […]
It is an archaeological mystery that has perplexed scientists for decades: which ancient civilisation carved huge stone jars for disposing its dead at sites across Laos? Thick jungle, war and unexploded bombs have helped keep the secret, but new Australian-led research has offered tantalising clues. Experts believe the jars are related to an ancient burial […]
The U.S. State Department downgraded Vietnam and Cambodia to its next-to-lowest ranking in an annual report on human trafficking released today, pointing to what it called both countries’ continuing failure to make “significant efforts” to combat the trade. The Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report ranks countries around the world as Tier 1, Tier […]
On the night of July 23, water poured over a saddle dam at the Xe Pian Xe Namnoy (PNPC) hydropower project in Champassak, Laos, sweeping away homes and causing severe flooding in up to 12 villages downstream in Champassak and neighboring Attapeu province. More than 40 villagers were killed and dozens were listed as missing, […]
Civil society groups say govt toll of about 40 is not credible, that 800 or more people could have died in July; while Korean MP claims the firm building the dam altered the design and lowered the height to boost its profit The official death toll given by the government of Laos for the dam […]
VIENTIANE (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – A new land law may bring greater transparency in land management and modernization of records in Laos, but it could also curb ownership by women, as well as the customary rights of rural and indigenous people, analysts said. The long-delayed legislation is scheduled to be tabled before the country’s National […]
Lao police shut down a benefit concert this week held to raise funds for a local school after objecting to a slogan found on T-shirts sold at the site, Lao sources said. The concert, held on Oct. 14 in the Kaysone district of Savannakhet province in southern Laos, had run for only 40 minutes before […]
Wimbledon School of English has announced the opening of the first British English language centre in Laos, WSE Vientiane, in partnership with Panyathip International School. The agreement between WSE and Panyathip was signed in August 2018 between WSE managing director Jane Dancaster and founder and director of Panyathip International School, Pathana Panyathip. The signing was […]
The Lao government’s offer of U.S. $176 to the families of the 40 Laotians confirmed to have perished in flooding caused by a dam collapse in the southwestern part of the country last month is not sufficient, a retired health official said Tuesday. Families have been offered 1.5 million Lao kip (U.S. $176) for each […]
A coalition of NGOs and community-based groups dedicated to raising public awareness about the risks associated with dams on the Mekong River said Friday that it will boycott the prior consultation process for the proposed Pak Lay hydropower project in Laos. “Save the Mekong coalition is boycotting the Pak Lay prior consultation because serious and […]