Laos ratifies UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
DKJ
It has taken nearly decade for the Lao PDR to ratify this convention
since she signed it in 2000.
----------------------------------
Laos ratifies major UN treaties
Laos has taken a huge stride in the advancement of the international
and national rule of law by ratifying three among the most important
treaties of the United Nations.
The ratification was made by Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, on Friday during his
attendance at the annual UN Treaty Event held at the UN Headquarters
in New York , USA .
The deputy PM has deposited instruments of ratification for the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN
Convention against Corruption, and the Convention on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities.
The ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and the Convention on the Protection of Rights of Persons with
Disabilities indicates the good willingness and firm determination of
Laos to cooperate with the international community to further promote
and protect human rights, including the rights of persons with
disabilities.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in
ratifying the two human rights instruments, Laos is now a party to six
out of the nine core UN treaties in the field of human rights.
The country is already a party to the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the
Convention on the Rights of the Child and the latter's two Optional
Protocols.
The ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption is a firm
step undertaken by Laos to cooperate with the international community
to fight against corruption through effective prevention,
criminalisation, international cooperation and asset recovery.
Laos has already enacted a law on anti-corruption which together with
the criminal law and other related laws and decrees constitutes a
national legal basis for the implementation of the ratified Convention
against Corruption at the national level.
The United Nations has held an annual treaty event since the
Millennium Summit in 2000.
The event takes place in New York , coinciding with the yearly session
of the UN General Assembly. At the event last year, Laos signed one
treaty and deposited instruments of accession to two treaties.
By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 28, 2009)
----------------
Read some fact about ICCPR below:
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is a
United Nations treaty based on the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, created on 16 December 1966 and entered into force on 23 March
1976.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is monitored
by the Human Rights Committee (a separate body to the Human Rights
Council which replaced the Commission on Human Rights under the UN
Charter in 2006) with permanent standing, to consider periodic reports
submitted by member States on their compliance with the treaty.
Members of the Human Rights Committee are elected by member states,
but do not represent any State. The Covenant contains two Optional
Protocols. The first optional protocol creates an individual
complaints mechanism whereby individuals in member States can submit
complaints, known as communications, to be reviewed by the Human
Rights Committee. Its rulings under the first optional protocol have
created the most complex jurisprudence in the UN international human
rights law system.
The second optional protocol abolishes the death penalty; however,
countries were permitted to make a reservation allowing for use of
death penalty for the most serious crimes of a military nature,
committed during wartime.
Convention provisions
Five categories
1. Protection on individual's physical integrity (against things
such as execution, torture, and arbitrary arrest).
2. Procedural fairness in law (rule of law, rights upon arrest,
trial, basic conditions must be met when imprisoned, rights to a
lawyer, impartial process in trial).
3. Protection based on gender, religious, racial or other forms of
discrimination.
4. Individual freedom of belief, speech, association, freedom of
press, right to hold assembly.
5. Right to political participation (organise a political party,
vote, voice contempt for current political authority).
Two optional protocols
1. Mechanism by which individuals can launch complaints against
member states.
2. Abolition of the death penalty.
[edit] National implementation and effects
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has been
signed by 174 states, 8 of which have yet to ratify the treaty.
[edit] New Zealand
While New Zealand has not incorporated the ICCPR into law, it took
measures to give effect to many of the rights contained within it by
passing the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act in 1990.
States not member of the Covenant
The majority of states in the world are parties to the ICCPR. As of
September 2009 [update] the following 29 states have either not yet
signed the convention, or have signed but have not yet ratified the
convention.
Signed but not ratified
1. China (1998-10-05);
2. Comoros {2008-09-25);
3. Cuba (2008-02-28);
4. Guinea-Bissau (2000-09-12);
5. Laos (2000-12-07);
6. Nauru (2001-11-12);
7. Pakistan (2008-04-17);
8. São Tomé and Príncipe (1995-10-31).
Neither signed nor ratified
1. Antigua and Barbuda;
2. Bhutan;
3. Brunei;
4. Burma (Myanmar);
5. Fiji;
6. Kiribati;
7. Malaysia;
8. Marshall Islands;
9. Micronesia;
10. Oman;
11. Palau;
12. Qatar;
13. Saint Kitts and Nevis;
14. Saint Lucia;
15. Saudi Arabia;
16. Singapore;
17. Solomon Islands;
18. Tonga;
19. United Arab Emirates;
20. Vanuatu;
21. Vatican City (through the Holy See).
dkj
ນໍ້າໃຈລາວ XiangMieng
Congratulations! let the implementation be a success!
pizone
good forward step for laos. i'm glad for laonai to see some light at
the end of the tunnel.
btw, i didn't see vietnam in the lists "sighed ..." and "not sign",
that's means vietnam is better than china in this matter of human
rights? no wonder these unhuman spammers come from the red china!
pizone
On Sep 28, 7:49 am, ນໍ້າໃຈລາວ XiangMieng <xiangmi...@googlemail.com>
wrote:
> > dkj- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
samphong
DKJ and Yong, I'm glad Laos has finally ratified the U.N. Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights. It all looks good on paper and it's always
good Public Relations to your international donors. At the least,
you'll be held accountable to the following standards:
1. Protection on individual's physical integrity (against things such
as execution, torture, and arbitrary arrest).
2. Procedural fairness in law (rule of law, rights upon arrest, trial,
basic conditions must be met when imprisoned, rights to a
lawyer, impartial process in trial).
3. Protection based on gender, religious, racial or other forms of
discrimination.
4. Individual freedom of belief, speech, association, freedom of
press, right to hold assembly.
5. Right to political participation (organise a political party, vote,
voice contempt for current political authority).
Here's the CURRENT Lao PDR reality, in reverse order:
5. Chapter 1, Article 3 of your own Lao PDR Constitution is already a
VIOLATION of the above U.N. Covenant: "The rights of the multi-ethnic
people to be the masters of the country are exercised and ensured
through the functioning of the political system with the Lao People's
Revolutionary Party as its leading nucleus." In letter and in
practice, the Lao PDR is an openly one-party Communist authoritarian
regime that still flies the Hammer and Sickle flag, proudly and
defiantly.
4. Chapter 3, Article 31 of your own Lao PDR Constituion is already a
VIOLATION of the above U.N. Covenant: "Lao citizens have the right and
freedom of speech, press and assembly; and have the right to set up
associations and to stage demonstrations which are not contrary to the
law." And the law is...Chapter 1, Article 3...which says the the Lao
Peoples Revolutionary Party is the "leading nucleus" that controls all
aspects of these "freedoms" in Laos.
Futhermore, the following is an exact quote from the Lao PDR's own
Khaosan Pathet Lao (KPL) News Agencies current website: "The mass
media at all times are involved in the Party strategy and tactics,"
and "The Lao Journalists' Association also took steps in urging
journalists to serve the country and people, being Party and
Government announcers, disseminating policies and motivating the
people to implement two strategic tasks: development and the country's
security and protection."
3. Chapter 3, Article 22 of your own Lao PDR Constituion is already a
VIOLATION of the above U.N. Covenant: "Lao citizens irrespective of
their sex, social status, education, faith and ethnic groups are all
equal before the law." And again, that "law" is Chapter 1, Article
3...which says the the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party is the "leading
nucleus" that controls all aspects of these "freedoms" in Laos.
One only needs to read the internet archives, personally and
officially written by the former Lao PDR spokesperson, and the current
Lao Ambassador to the U.N., Yong Chanthalangsy, and you will get a
good idea if indeed Laos has indeed violated all "protections based on
gender, religious, racial or other forms of discrimination," from
their internationally documented mistreatment of the ethnic Hmong
minority still in the jungles of their own nation, or the Christians
within it's borders.
Additionally, Chapter 1, Article 8 said, "All acts of creating
division and discrimination among ethnic groups are prohibited," which
directly CONTRADICTS with the U.N Covenant Point #5 above: "Right to
political participation (organise a political party, vote, voice
contempt for current political authority)."
2. Chapter 3, Article 69 of your own Lao PDR Constituion is already a
VIOLATION of the above U.N. Covenant regarding due process and legal
rights: "Trials of cases at courts proceedings must be openly
conducted except in cases as stipulated by law." And again, that "law"
is Chapter 1, Article 3...which says the the Lao Peoples Revolutionary
Party is the "leading nucleus" that controls all aspects of these
"freedoms" in Laos.
Arbitrary arrests, sentencings, secret prisons and many
internationally known cases continue to highlight the Lao PDR's
ongoing violation of this U.N. Covenant.
1. Chapter 3, Article 69 of your own Lao PDR Constituion is already a
VIOLATION of the above U.N. Covenant regarding due protections on
individual's physical integrity: "Trials of cases at courts
proceedings must be openly conducted except in cases as stipulated by
law." And again, that "law" is Chapter 1, Article 3...which says the
the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party is the "leading nucleus" that
controls all aspects of these "freedoms" in Laos.
Arbitrary arrests, sentencings, secret prisons and many
internationally known cases continue to highlight the Lao PDR's
ongoing violation of this U.N. Covenant.
All current information, propaganda, and facts regarding the Lao PDR,
is a clear testament that Laos have NOT, and will NOT adhere to the
covenant they have just rafitifed.
tseebxwb
DKJ are you sure that Laos did ratifies UN major treaties? Is
that true then it's very good. I've been waiting for this for long
time to go back to my home town. But I'm so scare to end up just like
the three men from minnesota. They was been catcher by someone I
knew in xiang khuang at a hotel and gone untill now, If Laos be come
a freedom country then why would I live in America for, It's no
meaning for me to work two job and paid more tax for the USA instead
paid to build my own country. DJK one more question for you, just
couple night ago my brother call me from muang cha, he say the army
force and Vietnam troops still working very hard to clean up the
phubia jungle people and he is one of the soldier their. They just
finished a meet in muang cha with the government high level leader,
how to use tacties against the jungle people to make them surrander
early 2010 by way of starvetion tacties is that true? And he also
said they have more than 10 armies base there already is that true?
Can you tell the true my family and friend still live in Muang cha,
Xiang khuang and phonesavan.
see you in Laos at the seagame.
DKJ
Nation
September 29, 2009
The United Nations on Tuesday praises Laos for ratifying the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the
UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
By doing so, Laos pledges to work against all forms of discrimination
and promote equality before the law. The ratification also commits
Laos to the promotion of "individual freedom of belief, speech,
association, freedom of press, right to hold assembly and the right to
political participation as well as to fight against corruption through
prevention, criminalisation, international cooperation and asset
recovery."
"By ratifying these treaties, Lao PDR further emphasizes its
commitment to - among other actions - enact laws and other measures to
improve the lives of those living with disabilities such as victims of
cluster munitions, and to protect an individual's physical integrity
(against e.g. torture and arbitrary arrest), explained the Office of
the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Lao PDR and the Office
of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in South East Asia," said
the UN in a press statement.
"This is a significant moment in the evolution of the country's
commitment with the promotion and protection of human rights and the
UN Country team stands ready to support the Government in the
realisation of these conventions," said Serge Verniau, UN Resident
Coordinator in Laos.
"These ratifications herald a momentous step by the Lao PDR in its
integration into the international legal framework."
Homayoun Alizadeh, Regional Representative of the United Nations
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said the next step
for Laos is to move towards implementation and translate the provision
of these conventions into national laws.
With the ratification of ICCPR and CPRD, Laos is now a state party to
six out of the nine existing core UN human rights treaties.
In South East Asia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Timor
Leste, Vietnam, and now Lao PDR, have ratified the ICCPR. Philippines
and Thailand are the only other countries together with Lao now in the
region having ratified the CRPD.
DKJ
You are welcome to the Vientiane Game in December of this year
Then I would like to recommend you to travel to Muang Cha where your
brother lives
and see the real situation that all what your brother told you is not
true.
I can confirm that it was only nightmare in his past hard time long
ago
dkj
tseebxwb
DJK thank you, how do I meet you? If you have a contact number
please posted on here, I need someone to pick me up at the airport by
Novenber 2009.
samphong
de facto internet junkie for the Lao PDR along with your U.N.
Ambassador to the U.N., Yong Chanthalangsy...please offer public proof/
facts to support your official government statement:
"the real situation that all what your brother told you is not true. I
can confirm that it was only nightmare in his past hard time long
ago."
In order to "confirm" such things are not true, please provide Flickr
photos of you and Tseebxwb's brothers in Muang Cha holding a sign that
says, "it was only nightmare, confirmed by DKJ".
Until that happens, you have NO way of confirming anything, of course,
while sitting at your official propaganda computer desk at the Lao PDR
Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 01004, 23 Singha Road, Vientiane.
cwjmem
Selling Lao lands, natural resources, daming rivers for pennies are
not enough. Now LPDR is selling UN government policy to the world
hoping to attact investors for their green $$$. That's all commies
can do. Over promise and still has no delivery.
Forget about your stupid propaganda. What Laos need is to develop its
infrastures, build good roads, clean drinking waters, hotels, motels,
and clean healthy standard restaurants will surely attract tourists
and make billions of it. However, you must garrantee to get rid of
your cave-dwelling era killing tactics, a midnight snatch of innocent
Lao citizen out of their homes.
samphong
Yong Chanthalangsy, the Lao Ambassdor to the U.N. is personally
responsible and accountable to the signing of Laos' ratification of
the UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Let's start with this point:
> Right to political participation (organise a political party, vote, voice contempt for current political authority).
And here is the CURRENT Lao PDR reality:
MS32
It is a good point to begin with a new chapter for prosperity and
harmony among all ethnic groups in Laos. A country governed by the
rule of law makes a lot of sense.
Hakpheng
MS
samphong
year since 1975, and they haven't lived up to any the chapters they
started, including their 1991 Constitution!
And, I'm not sure if you realize it, but it doesn't help that you're
repeating the standard Communist slogan of, "a new chapter for
prosperity and harmony among all ethnic groups in Laos." This is the
false promise of Communism. As we're all aware, government officials
such as Yong Chanthalangsy are the new class of social elites in Laos,
and the rest of Lao society will continue to earn the annual income of
$800.
Yes, "A country governed by the rule of law makes a lot of sense." But
don't forget, THAT rule of law is the Lao PDR Constitution. In that
Constitution, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party is in charge, and
anyone else is illegal and an enemy of the state.
Think, MS32, think!
Xavzoo
Most of the members states said Lao PDR government is invisible
because his seat has always been empty durring sessions. It's time to
face the heat which he is afraid of.
X Z
laophuan
LPDR not afraid any Meo period.
cwjmem
the Lao constitution. Do any of them understand his/her basic human
right and the right of citizenship? When groups of Viets and Chinese
merchants walk by, setting up their merchant shops, Nang Keo and Thao
Thong look down on their feet, block their ears and say nothing
because they are afraid of the corrupted Lao officials who received
bribes from these unfavored foreigners will hunt Nang keo and Thao
Thong down. Guess laotian llives are more important and complaining
to their own government. AND Yong continues to build his own JAVANESE
HOUSES, run his own REAL ESTATE department to sell Lao Lands to
foreigners. Pretty soon Lao folks will have to build their own bamboo
rafts living in NAM THEUNG I, NAM THEUNG II, and NAM NGEUM I and II in
man-made lakes.
Cat
> Convention provisions
>
> Five categories
>
> 1. Protection on individual's physical integrity (against things
> such as execution, torture, and arbitrary arrest).
> 2. Procedural fairness in law (rule of law, rights upon arrest,
> trial, basic conditions must be met when imprisoned, rights to a
> lawyer, impartial process in trial).
> 3. Protection based on gender, religious, racial or other forms of
> discrimination.
> 4. Individual freedom of belief, speech, association, freedom of
> press, right to hold assembly.
> 5. Right to political participation (organise a political party,
> vote, voice contempt for current political authority).
>
With the above being part of the article that was signed by Laos does
that mean that the LPDR will allow more than one political party,
because currently the LPDR only allow it to be the only political
party in Laos. Will people be able to write news/articles without the
approval of the LPDR. Can people demonstrate in public without being
arrest? If so will those already arrested for demonstrating be free.
My opinion is that the UN have no authority. Nations can sign and not
sign and once sign does not have to follow what they have committed.
So what was signed really means nothing at the end.
samphong
the Lao PDR, or anyone else, you can be sure that NOTHING will change.
The only CONSTANT in all of this is a new reason to justify the Lao
government's annual requests for more international aid, which of
course haven't done much to alleviate the masses, but has sured
created an entirely new class of elites in Laos, who, according to
Yong Chanthalangsy are "RICHER" than any Laonork and who can buy a
brand new car with two months of his salary and send his kid to
prestigeous school in France...while a third of his people can't read
and write and make less $800 a year.
Just look at the following photos of the new U.N. House in Vientiane,
then read the Lao PDR Consitution about the Lao People's Revolutionary
Party being the only legal political party, and then try to imagine if
this UN Covenant means anything.
I highly doubt that Ms. Sonam Yangchen Rana, the UN Resident
Coordinator in Laos, have a clue, or care about obvious and blatant
contradictions between the Covenant and the Lao PDR Constitution...and
the reality of the Hammer and Sickle flags that fly daily in her face.
She, along with the entire class foreign service staff, including many
Lao nationals who work for that UN House, are simply enjoying their
international salaries, and otherwise living a life of luxury...until
the next grand signing ceremony.
http://www.unlao.org/contact/contact.asp
Xavzoo
Bro. Laophuan,
You may have to do more research on LPDR. Are you sure you really know
who LPDR is? Do you know what had happened to your kings, lands and
natural resources? Can you insert an eye into your mind (brain) to see
if you can see what the world see on LPDR? Meo is your savior...!
X Z
bch
Ratifying the UN covenant on Civil and Political Rights or not, we should wait and see. Lpdr may sign it with her hand and erase it with her foot.
bch
samphong
Actually, what they do after ratification of the Covenant is to
continue flying symbol of a one-party authoritarian regime...the
Hammer and Sickle flag. Right, DKJ and Yong?
Xavzoo
They did that for the World Bank funding purpose. You can see some Lao
PDR governments are very rich but the country is ...you name it.
samphong
Yong, the Lao Ambassador to the UN said recently:
"As of today, there are millions of people in the middle class who
have much more well and money than any of you living oversea."