People and government
Independent bar association aims to usher in new era
Myanmar’s legal profession is aiming to come clean. Lawyers have launched the industry’s first independent, national bar association in Myanmar with the help of a London-based human rights training group and the rule of law committee. The Independent Lawyers’ Association of Myanmar was launched in Nay Pyi ...
Lao congress sets course for exit from LDC status
Ensuring that Laos graduates from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in five years’ time has been the focus of discussion at the 10th Party Congress, a Party leader has said. Party Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Mr Somsavat Lengsavad highlighted this fact when speaking to ...
Lutheran World Federation supports rural development in northern Laos
Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has agreed to fund an extension of the Right Based Empowerment Project (RBEP) in Luang Namtha province, with funding of US$3 million (about 24 billion kip). The project will be implemented in Viengphoukha and Nalae districts of Luang Namtha province, running from ...
Cambodian Government U-turn on Montagnard refugees
In a seeming about-face, the Cambodian government has backed away from its looming deadline to deport more than 100 Montagnards currently seeking asylum in Cambodia, instead pledging to “expedite” the process of assessing their refugee status. Following a meeting on 20 January in Phnom Penh between Interior ...
Governor visits Boeung Trabek following demolitions
Following the 19 January demolition of six homes in Village 1, a community on the southern shore of Phnom Penh’s Boeung Trabek reservoir, Municipal Governor Pa Socheatvong on 20 January addressed residents, promising a solution to a largely sceptical audience. Speaking on the afternoon of 20 January, Socheatvong said ...
HRW slams ASEAN invites to US summit
Human Rights Watch has called on US President Barack Obama to make sure that human rights are at the top of the agenda when the US leader hosts the heads of ASEAN at a summit in California next month. Keep reading ...
Secretary of State Kerry visit to Laos confirmed
US Secretary of State John Kerry will pay an official visit to Laos on 24 January with a view to strengthening links between Vientiane and Washington, the local Foreign Ministry confirmed. Keep reading ...
Laos' sleepy capital awakens to a construction boom
The capital of Laos is a low-rise, low-key city, especially when compared with the hulking high-rises and bustling streets of better-known Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. But this once-sleepy city is fast shedding its sedate reputation due to a building boom ...
Dala residents fret over bridge payouts
Dala township residents who agreed to accept compensation in exchange for land needed for a long-awaited bridge are hoping to get paid before the new government takes office. Of the 68 landowners affected, 66 have now agreed the terms offered following protracted negotiations last year. Both sides ...
India eyes investment opportunities in CLMV
India is eyeing the huge opportunities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) and wants Indian financial institutes to establish branches in the region to boost trade and investment between the two sides. Addressing the third India – CLMV Business Conclave held last week at the ...
