United States Department of State

Laos: Human Rights United States Department of State

The Lao People?s Democratic Republic is an authoritarian state ruled by the only party that the constitution legitimizes, the Lao People?s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). The most recent National Assembly election, held in 2011, was not considered free and fair. Authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Some members of the security forces were involved in human rights abuses. The most significant human rights problems continued to be that the government denied citizens the right to change their government, conditions in some prisons were harsh, and corruption in the police and judiciary led to a lack of due process and arbitrary arrest and detention. Other human rights problems continued to include: abuse of prisoners and detainees by some police and security force members; government infringements on freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and association as well as the right to privacy; government restrictions on academic freedom; local restrictions on religious freedom; trafficking in persons; societal discrimination based on sexual orientation and against persons with HIV/AIDS; and government restrictions on worker rights. The government did not take steps to prosecute and punish officials who committed abuses, and police and security force members acted with impunity.