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 8th Session of the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review

Intervention by Australia

by Ms Angela Robinson
4 May, 2010

Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Australia appreciates the engagement of the Lao PDR in the UPR process and thanks the distinguished delegation for its presentation today.

Australia acknowledges Laos’ complex human rights challenges and that it continues to make progress. Australia welcomes Laos’ recent steps to improve human rights standards, particularly ratification of a number of international human rights conventions. Australia welcomes Laos’ commitment to incorporate provisions of the conventions to which it is a party into domestic legislation and to enhance the implementation of those conventions.

Australia also welcomes Laos’ invitation to the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to visit Laos in November 2009. This was the first ever visit to Laos by a UN Special Rapporteur and demonstrates a willingness to engage cooperatively with the international community on human rights. Australia welcomes Laos’ commitment to extend invitations to other Special Rapporteurs.

Whilst we consider that the human rights situation in Laos has improved in recent years, we remain concerned by reports of the treatment of minority religious communities. We note with concern cases of alleged arrests and detentions on the basis of religion.

We are also deeply concerned at the treatment of the Lao Hmong minority group. We are particularly concerned by the situation of around 4,500 Lao Hmong forcibly repatriated from Thailand in December 2009, including 158 from the Nong Khai detention centre who had been recognized as people of concern by UNHCR.

Australia would like to make the following recommendations to Laos:

1. Ensure independent access by UNHCR and other international humanitarian agencies to all Lao Hmong returnees from Thailand to Laos, including in Phonekham, to assess their wellbeing;

2. Issue travel and identity documents to all Lao Hmong returnees in a timely manner, and guarantee freedom of movement;

3. Ensure that relevant authorities, particularly at the local and district levels, are aware of their duty to protect individuals’ right to freedom or religion;

4. Ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aimed at abolition of the death penalty;

5. Allow media and civil society organizations to undertake education, advocacy, monitoring and reporting on human rights issues.