Laos

Laos

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	- The first Constitution of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic protects freedom of association in the preamble which states that “Laos recognizes these as fundamental rights of Laotians: individual freedom, freedom of conscience, freedom of property, freedom to speak, write and publish, freedom to teach, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of profession, equality before the law, security of livelihood” (World Constitutions Illustrated). “Constitution of Laos 11th May, 1947.” World Constitutions Illustrated, n.d. https://heinonline-org.uc.idm.oclc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/bfsprs0149&id=1&collection=cow&index=#.
Freedom of Expression	History	The 1991 Constitution of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic does not formally protect freedom of expression, but does grant the right to free speech and press in Article 31. This freedom was not stated in the original 1947 Constitution. References: Constitution of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 40 (1991).
Freedom of Religion	History	Laos first established the right to freedom of religion in the 1991 Constitution, ratified on August 15. The right can be found in Chapter 1, Article 9 (“CONSTITUTION OF THE LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC”, 1991). “CONSTITUTION OF THE LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC.” 1991. International Labour Organization. August 15. https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/75323/87941/F1091614924/LAO75323.pdf.
Freedom of the Press	History	Articles 44 and 45 of the 1991 Laos Constitution do not explicitly protect press freedom, but imply a protection of media production through freedom of expression: “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 laws… Lao citizens have the right and freedom to conduct studies in and to apply advanced sciences, techniques and technologies; to create artistic and literary works [;] and to engage in cultural activities which are not contrary to the laws” (Constitute Project, “Lao People's Democratic Republic's Constitution of 1991 with Amendments through 2003” ).
Privacy Rights	History	Privacy rights are scarcely protected in Laos. The revised 2015 constitution protects violations of life, body, integrity, and property in Article 42, which has been amended since the implementation of the constitution in 1991 (Constitute Project, “Lao People’s Democratic Republic 1991 rev. 2015” ). https://media.bloomsburyprofessional.com/rep/files/laos-constitution- 1947- 1949- englishx.pdf https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Laos_ 2015? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Under Article 4, members of the National Assembly and the Local People’s Assemblies are voted into office via equal and direct voting with secret ballots. The voting age in Laos is 18 years old. (Constitute Project, Laos’s Constitution of 1991, with Amendments through 2015)