Australia supports Laos’ Human Rights Agenda
Australia will give USD77 500 (approximately LAK620 million) in grant funding to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs in support of the Lao Government’s human rights agenda.
These funds will support seminars and workshops to disseminate information and improve understanding of human rights obligations in Laos. The funding will also support domestic consultations with religious groups in relation to proposed revision of Decree 92 on the Management and Protection of Religion in Laos and support Lao attendance at international human rights meetings. Lastly the funds will provide for translation and publication of key UN resolutions into Lao language.
Australia’s funding support will contribution to the Lao Government’s realisation of the Legal Sector Master Plan (LSMP) on the rule of law and implementation of Lao PDR’s international human rights obligations.
The grant funding is just one example of the Australian Government’s efforts to actively pursue initiatives designed to promote human rights.
Another example is the Lao-Australia bilateral human rights dialogue. The regular dialogue provides a forum for open and constructive discussion of human rights issues of interest to both countries. The third dialogue was held 24-25 April 2012 in Vientiane.
Australia also funds a range of projects aimed at the promotion of human rights around the world under its Human Rights Grant Scheme.