UN-EU Op-Ed for Human Rights Day 2024

This year’s Human Rights Day, celebrated on 10th December under the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now”, provides an opportunity to reflect on human rights as a pathway to solutions. By empowering individuals and communities to build a better future, human rights play a critical role as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good. For governments, respecting human rights offers a comprehensive, long-term, problem-solving formula – a blueprint for effective governance. For individuals, rights are a moral and legal anchor for their aspirations to a life of dignity and justice, a profound acknowledgment of their equality and a source of hope. In 2024, this reflection is amplified by the 40th Anniversary of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), which also falls on 10th December. 

For Lao PDR, the timing is particularly significant as the country prepares to submit its initial state report to the CAT and to engage in the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). These milestones offer an opportunity to align national priorities with international commitments, setting the stage for concrete and substantive progress in human rights and towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Universal Periodic Review: An opportunity to strengthen human rights in Lao PDR

The Universal Periodic Review, established in 2006, is a peer-review mechanism under the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) that evaluates the human rights practices of all UN Member States every four to five years. The ultimate aim of the UPR mechanism is to improve the human rights situation in all countries and address human rights issues wherever they occur. During the UPR, countries have the opportunity to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situation and to exchange lessons learned and technical support with other peers. 

The UPR puts all countries on the same footing, allowing for all countries to participate and undergo review, no matter their political, economic, social or cultural situation. Wide and meaningful stakeholders’ participation is an integral part of the process, as the UPR is the only UN human rights mechanism that provides an official avenue for civil society organisations to actively engage in the process. Finally, the cyclical nature of the UPR allows for constant assessment of the progress that is being made by States as well as evaluation of emerging issues that need to be prioritized.

For Lao PDR, the fourth UPR – scheduled for April 2025 – provides an important platform to revisit longstanding human rights challenges, address recommendations from previous cycles, and showcase progress in key areas like gender equality, the rights of groups in vulnerable situations, such as persons with disabilities, victims of trafficking, children and older persons, ethnic groups, persons living with HIV.

The Government of Lao PDR has been preparing for the fourth UPR throughout this year, including by holding consultations on its national report with central and local governments and civil society organizations. While meaningful consultations ahead of the UPR reflect Lao PDR’s commitment to

uphold international human rights standards, the Government’s response to recommendations received in the fourth cycle and their implementation afterward will be a litmus test for Lao PDR’s dedication to protect and promote human rights. 

The legacy of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)

Adopted in 1984, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) emerged as a response to widespread torture and repression. CAT’s adoption sent a clear message: torture must be condemned and prohibited universally. Over four decades, CAT has achieved significant milestones. Ratified by 174 states, it has established international standards to prevent torture and protect victims.

In 2024, Lao PDR has taken a significant step by submitting its Initial State Report to the CAT. Drafting the report involved consultations and data collection, shedding light on existing gaps and opportunities to strengthen protections. Proactively addressing these insights can demonstrate Lao PDR’s commitment to human rights beyond formal reporting obligations.

Moving forward

While Lao PDR has shown progress in meeting its reporting obligations under CAT, UPR and other UN human rights mechanisms, tangible action beyond reporting can be further boosted. Effective human rights protection requires robust legal frameworks aligned with international standards, consistent enforcement, and meaningful responses to violations to combat impunity and ensure accountability. In Lao PDR, this would mean legislative reforms, enhancing civil society engagement and tackling inequalities. Making these protections a reality requires collaborative efforts across government, civil society, and international partners. The United Nations and the European Union stand ready to support the Government of Lao PDR to achieve these goals through technical assistance, capacity-building initiatives, and human rights education.

The UN continues to collaborate closely with the Government of Lao PDR on key human rights issues, including social and cultural rights, environmental rights, and the protection of vulnerable groups. In June, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights visited Lao PDR for the first time, meeting with Government authorities and delivering a lecture to students at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at the National University of Laos. On that occasion, students learned about the critical role of human rights in addressing challenges such as environmental degradation, the need for inclusive economic growth, and the importance of a human rights economy, where economic policies prioritize human rights. The Government has also accepted the request for a visit to Lao PDR by the UN Special Rapporteur on cultural rights, at a timely moment prior to the beginning of the fourth UPR cycle. As in previous years, the rights of persons with disabilities, women and girls, the LGBTI community, and migrants will be celebrated in upcoming events, bringing together people and communities across the country.

This year, the 13th EU-Lao PDR Human Rights Dialogue underscored the EU’s ongoing commitment to human rights in Lao PDR. Beyond this annual dialogue with the Government, which leads to concrete actions with the Lao Government, the EU actively supports civil society organisations in promoting and protecting fundamental rights. By strengthening civil society, we also foster inclusive national development, ensuring that all voices are heard and that no one is left behind in Lao PDR’s progress. 

Conclusions

Human Rights Day 2024 reminds us that human rights are the common thread that binds us all together to foster peace and stability; that human rights are not abstract ideas, but offer protection, ensuring everyone, everywhere can live in dignity and respect; and that upholding human rights is not only about addressing present inequalities, but is also about empowering marginalized groups. For Lao PDR, the dual milestones of engagement with the CAT and the fourth UPR cycle represent an unprecedented opportunity to align national priorities with international commitments and demonstrate dedication to move beyond reporting obligations into further concrete implementation of human rights principles and standards. 

For more information on Human Rights Day and its 2024 theme, visit the Human Rights Day campaign page. Insights into the 40th anniversary of CAT can be found on the Committee Against Torture’s page. To explore Lao PDR's engagement in the UPR, visit Lao PDR’s UPR page.