Lao Government human rights delegations visiting Australia

Lao Government human rights delegations visiting Australia

President of the Lao National Steering Committee on Human Rights, H.E. Mr Phongsavath Boupha, with Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon Julie Bishop MP, at Parliament House in Canberra, during the visit to Australia by a Lao Government delegation, funded by Australia's bilateral human rights assistance program in the Lao PDR.

The Lao Government human rights delegations meet members of Australia's Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Human Rights at Parliament House in Canberra, including Committee Chairman Hon Philip Ruddock MP (centre). He is flanked by H.E. Mr Phongsavath Boupha, President of the Lao National Steering Committee on Human Rights, and H.E. Brig Gen Kongthong Phongphichit, Vice Minister for Public Security. The Lao delegation visited New South Wales and Canberra from 1-6 March to study Australia's approach to human rights issues under Australia's bilateral human rights cooperation program.

Mr Phoukong Sisoulath (centre left), Director General for Treaties and Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mr Craig Chittick (centre right), First Assistant Secretary, South East Asia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the two co-chairs, together with members of the Lao and Australian delegations to the 4th bilateral human rights dialogue on 6 March in Canberra. The Dialogue was held in Australia for the first time, along with a study tour by senior Lao officials, with funding from Australia’s bilateral human rights cooperation program.