The government and the UN country team in Laos jointly commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Vientiane yesterday, reflecting the country's commitment to cooperate with the world community in protecting human rights. The theme of this year's celebration is ‘dignity and justice for all of us' with a range of activities including official gatherings, a symposium, an art exhibition, a concert and other cultural and social activities. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith said in a speech to mark the event the government had always pursued policies that ensured the rights and freedoms of the Lao people, which was clearly reflected in its efforts to improve governance and enhance democratic rights. “In the past, Laos has pursued a consistent policy in cooperating with the world community to protect human rights and put into practice the relevant UN Charter provisions,” he said. Laos is a party to a number of UN core treaties in the field of human rights relating to economic, social and cultural rights, children's rights, the elimination of discrimination against women, and the elimination of racial discrimination. But Laos always rejected selectivity and double standards in human rights considerations, the deputy PM said. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted on December 10, 1948, at the Third Session of the UN General Assembly. The declaration proclaimed and affirmed that all human beings had inherent dignity and deserved certain fundamental rights and freedoms in the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural fields without any form of discrimination.
The Lao constitution provides for the fundamental rights and duties of Lao citizens in the political, economic, social, cultural fields and in family affairs. Dr Thongloun said the Lao people did not suffer from discrimination in regard to gender, social status, education, beliefs or ethnicity and were all equal before the law. To date, the National Assembly has approved almost 80 laws in all fields. These laws directly or indirectly ensure respect for the promotion and protection of human rights. “Lao people have experienced several painful and bitter periods of history as a result of the country's falling under domination and colonisation by foreign powers.
All Lao people fought for independence and for equal rights to ensure the fundamental rights and freedoms of human beings were protected,” he said. UN Resident Coordinator Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana said there had been many changes in Laos over the past 10 years in terms of socio-economic development. But, she said, what had not changed was the commitment of Laos to its acceptance of the value and significance of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. “ Laos has made important and steady progress in its ratification of several important human rights instruments,” she said. “As recently as September, Laos signed the UN Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. Laos is one of only four nations in Asia to sign the convention.” But, she said, the UNDP was aware of the many constraints on Laos in terms of its capacity and resources to meet some of its reporting obligations under human rights treaties. By Somsack Pongkhao (Latest Update December 10, 2008)
Thank you for sharing the news and I am glad to learn that Laos has improved a lot in respecting human rights and freedom of expression. Nevertheless, Laos is still a communist state and I honestly hope that they would eventually abolish the practice of communism and fully embrace the system of socialism. It would be best and accelerate our country’s development due to its geographical and population size. Socialism would fit quite well into our society. This is not based on theoretical but really based on empirical practice and observation. Though some might say the definition of socialism according to a dictionary is a system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole. Therefore, it should be considered more or less like communism, but in practice is quite different and it really depends on how you might want to define it.Many economists said that the tendency of the present socialism is more and more to ally itself with the most advanced democracy and I concur with that.
I understand Laos is no longer pursue the ideology of communism in her economic system, but people still don’t have the right to vote for their president instead the president is elected by the party state. Socialism on the hand is totally different. For example, in Western Europe, many countries are socialist and they have the right to elect their own government and they have been economically successful. I can name a few like Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium and so forth. I know socialism won’t work in the United States due to the sizable population and the country is so big, its political system is so complex. I can’t repudiate that Americans including myself enjoy full liberty and freedom, but the country is not really run by voted representative because the power is really in the hands of the corporate business folks. However, it would be unjust to deny the due respect and admiration for current Laotian government for what they have done. We should be able to discern with our own conscience. Prefacing or fulminating only negative comments and criticism without any superficial praise would not be counterproductive and the ongoing mudslinging among our Laonork and Laonai must come to an end or fade away eventually. Yes, I understand it might be hard for some of us when we had been engrossed with hatred for so long, but we have to learn how to put things behind us and until we can accept the past is the past, our Laotian will not be able to disentangle themselves from their own spike and envy of each other.
Lastly, We Laotian should be proud of our people who find achievement and assist those who come for help.This is for now and it’s just my thought though.
Come on, bruce lao american, don't blame Lao government again, you should remember that whta is important for you between your rights and obligation, what is important between the peace and war. you did not do any thing for lao people and Government even you did not pay tax 1 cent per year for development in Laos, please take care yourself , u r usefuless fro lao people , Communist or socialist alway consider the peace, stability and development are priority for lao people now , the individual right, western democracy and the rights to vote, the right to the press and association are the later stage for Lao people
Why don't you type in anyname instead of anonymous if you want to talk to me. I might respect you a bit. Why are you so sensitive? I have every right to post my opinion on the public forum and since when I claim I am not useless Lao people. You are just as useless to me as I am to you, but I won't give a sh1t if you post your opinion aoubt America. I do speak on behalf of my families in Laos and I do pay tax from time to time probably even than your sorry as$ ever paid. I sent money to my families in order to keep their two retail shops going. In return, they paid tax on my behalf. I doubt your reading comprehension.
Come on, bruce lao american, don't blame Lao government again, you should remember that whta is important for you between your rights and obligation, what is important between the peace and war. you did not do any thing for lao people and Government even you did not pay tax 1 cent per year for development in Laos, please take care yourself , u r usefuless fro lao people , Communist or socialist alway consider the peace, stability and development are priority for lao people now , the individual right, western democracy and the rights to vote, the right to the press and association are the later stage for Lao people
Lao is lao
i'm Laonork but i do agree with you on this comment, Laos is still communist but way different from 15, 20 yrs ago.
