Laos Workshop on International Law and Human Rights Law

Upon the request of the Lao PDR Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) to provide education and training on the preparation of human rights reports, the Working Group decided to conduct a workshop on International Law and Human Rights Law in Thalat, Vientiane Province last June 10 to 14, 2003. The workshop was co-organized by MFA of Lao PDR, Embassy of Australia in Lao PDR, Thai Working Group, Regional Working Group, and the Office of Human Rights Studies and Social Development of Thailand’s Mahidol University. Around 92 participants from 12 government agencies, from academic institutions, and mass organizations attended the workshop, which was co-sponsored by AusAID, Forum Asia, and the International Legal Project Lao 00/006.

Mr. Khamkheuang Bounteum, Deputy Director General of the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs of MFA and the focal person on human rights within MFA gave the Welcome Remarks. Opening Speeches were delivered by Mr. Richard Taylor, Third Secretary of the Australian Embassy and Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree of the Thai Working Group. Permanent Secretary of MFA, Mr. Somphet Khousakoun gave the Keynote Speech.

The Workshop was divided into three parts. Part I was on human rights, the international legal framework, the major international human rights instruments (UDHR, ICCPR, ICESCR, ICERD, CAT, CEDAW, and CRC), state human rights obligations, and human rights reporting. The resource persons were: Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree, Mr. Carlos P. Medina (Secretary General of the Working Group), and Dr. Pusadee Tamthai of Thailand. Part II was on human rights, the rule of law, and the administration of justice. Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, Legal Consultant of UNDP in Lao PDR was the resource person for this session. The last part was dedicated to the human rights activities and human rights-related concerns of Lao PDR.