Australian Embassy
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Embassy address: KM4, Thadeua Road, Watnak Village, Sisattanak District, Vientiane, Lao PDR - Tel: (856-21) 353800 - Fax: (856-21) 353801
24 May 2007

Australian Government and the Lao Disabled People’s Association
promote human rights

The Australian Government today made a human rights grant of over 54,000 Australian dollars to the Lao Disabled People’s Association in support of its Human Rights Education Project.

The Australian Government has been a long-standing supporter of practical human rights initiatives in Lao PDR and elsewhere. The Lao Disabled People’s Association is one of several grassroots associations in the Asia Pacific region to receive funding from the Australian government under the Human Rights Small Grants Scheme.

The Australian Government also supported the Lao Disabled People’s Association to purchase over 220 crutches and tricycles to be distributed to persons with disabilities throughout Laos. The devices made available through the Australian Government’s Direct Aid Program will assist people with disabilities to better access markets, schools and work places.

The Australian Government has also supported the placement of two Australian volunteers to assist the Lao Disabled People’s Association with its programs, including its Draft Disability Rights Decree Project and its Radio Listening Club Program.

This latest collaboration will allow the Lao Disabled People’s Association to share its knowledge about human rights – in particular as they affect disabled people - with Lao officials and the broader population.

Australian Ambassador to Laos, Mr Alistair Maclean said on presenting the grant cheque, ‘Projects supported under the Australian Government’s Human Rights Small Grants Scheme aim to protect and promote human rights at the community level and make tangible improvements to people's lives’.

Mr Singkham Takounphak, President of the Lao Disabled People’s Association, agreed, ‘The Australian Government has been a strong supporter of the Lao Disabled People’s Association for some time’ he said. ‘We are very grateful to the Australian Government for this support, and especially for this new opportunity, which will allow us to teach Lao people about human rights, including in the context of challenges faced by disabled people. We hope that greater understanding of these challenges - and strategies to address them - among Lao officials and the general population will help to better enable disabled Lao people to break the cycle of poverty and to contribute positively to Laos’ socio-economic development.'

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