Working with Lao Government to protect human rights

The Commission has signed an agreement with the Lao Government and Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to continue working together to promote and protect human rights in Laos under the Australia-Lao PDR Human Rights Technical Cooperation Program (HRTCP).

Through the HRTCP, Australia will continue to provide practical support to the Lao Government to meet its international human rights commitments, and build the capacity of government and civil society around Laos’ international human rights reporting obligations and implementation approaches.

The new four-year phase of the program will run until mid-2027, with $1.6m of funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Commission President Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher AM signed the memorandum of understanding on Thursday 23 November with Australia’s Ambassador for Human Rights Brontë Moules and Director General of the Department of Treaty and Law, within the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Phoukhong Sisoulath.

President Croucher said: “Together we have worked on important issues such as UN processes and treaties, the rights of people with disabilities, the role of civil society and human rights education. There is much we have achieved together, working in a spirit of equality and mutual respect”.

Australia-Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) Human Rights Dialogue

The Commission also participated in the 8th Australia-Lao PDR Human Rights Dialogue on 23 November, co-chaired by Ms Moules and Mr Sisoulath.

The parties had a frank and constructive discussion on a wide range of human rights issues including civil, political, social and cultural rights, as well as engagement with international human rights mechanisms and bilateral and regional cooperation.

The dialogue is a unique opportunity to openly share respective challenges on human rights and demonstrates a commitment to journeying together to strengthen human rights practices.

It is a demonstration of the friendship and close partnership of Lao PDR and Australia, strengthened through years of cooperation through the HRTCP.

The Commission appreciated the opportunity to provide independent input into discussion around Australia’s progress and challenges in protecting and promoting human rights.

The Lao Government delegation with staff from the Commission and DFAT.