Laos Human Rights
The over 6 million residents of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) presently face a range of human rights violations. In particular, in late 2009 and early 2010, approximately 4,500 Lao Hmong asylum-seekers were forcibly repatriated from Thailand. Other human rights concerns include constriction freedom of expression, assembly, and religion. Increasingly forced evictions and displacement are emerging in the context of expanding state control of natural resources. Reports about conditions in Lao PDR prisons continue to suggest overcrowding and routine brutality. Denial of access by independent rights monitors complicates AI's work on the Lao PDR, and signals the need for continued activism and lobbying by those concerned with human rights in the country.
Relevant Links
Laos Newsroom
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 25, 2015 • Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
May 21, 2013 • Report
Annual Report: Laos 2013
Lao People's Democratic Republic Head of state Choummaly Sayasone Head of government Thongsing Thammavong Restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly continued. Three prisoners of conscience and two Hmong …
July 7, 2011 • Report
Annual Report: Laos 2011
Head of state: Choummaly Sayasone Head of government: Thongsing Thammavong (replaced Bouasone Bouphavanh in December) Death penalty: abolitionist in practice Population: 6.4 million Life expectancy: 65.9 years Under-5 mortality (m/f): …
March 26, 2011 • Report
Laos: Peaceful protesters must be released immediately
Document – Laos: Peaceful protesters must be released immediately AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT AI Index: ASA 26/004/2009 7 December 2009 Laos: Peaceful protesters must be released immediately Amnesty International calls …
March 19, 2011 • Report
Annual Report: Laos 2010
Head of state Choummaly Sayasone Head of government Bouasone Bouphavanh Death penalty abolitionist in practice Population 6.3 million Life expectancy 64.6 years Under-5 mortality (m/f) 68/61 per 1,000 Adult literacy …
September 6, 2016 • Press Release
Obama and ASEAN in Laos: The questions journalists should be allowed to ask
In advance of the US-ASEAN Summit, the Lao authorities should lift all restrictions on journalists and allow them to do their job and move freely, Amnesty International said today. Foreign …
September 1, 2016 • Press Release
Human Rights Abuses in Laos, the Philippines and Myanmar Must Lead Obama’s Human Rights Agenda for Asian Summit
As President Obama prepares for next week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Laos, Amnesty International USA has urged him to press leaders to address human rights abuses in the region.
August 30, 2016 • Press Release
Laos: #WhereIsSombath
As the International Day of the Disappeared is marked around the world, the Laos authorities must promptly, thoroughly and effectively investigate the abduction and suspected enforced disappearance of Sombath Somphone, …
February 22, 2016 • Press Release
Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
