The Lao government has given increased attention to improving the rule of law, but most Lao citizens still have limited understanding of existing laws, rights, the legal system, and the role of lawyers. This is especially true in remote areas of the country, where relatives and friends are often consulted on legal matters, rather than experts. Sometimes still useful in small disputes, this informal system is no longer effective for those confronting larger legal issues, particularly citizens facing serious criminal charges, such as life imprisonment. In a landmark response, we helped the Lao Bar Association launch the nation's first-ever legal aid clinics—mobile clinics where lawyers and paralegals travel to villages, as well as two permanent offices in Oudomxay and Champasak. Now, villagers who never before thought the law could help them can query lawyers directly about land rights, property inheritance, lawful contracts, and other issues. Mr. Sangkaya, a retired government officer, came to a clinic to seek legal help for his daughter who escaped to her hometown in Laos after being trafficked to Thailand. The Lao Bar clinic appointed a lawyer who is now filing a criminal case against the human trafficker in court. In another instance, Ms. Saisamone, forty-seven years old, borrowed $1,000, using her land as collateral. When she attempted to pay back the loan, the lender refused her money, telling her he now owns the land. She came to the clinic, and a lawyer is now working to get her land back. Since the opening in 2008, the number of cases the clinic has received has steadily increased. "For poor people who live in remote areas and never had access to any legal aid in their lives, this is just an excellent opportunity for them," says Mr. Bounthawee, a lawyer in Oudomxay province.
Laos
We've long worked in Lao PDR, and in 2009 we re-established a presence in Vientiane. This significant development enhances our regional capability across Southeast Asia and expands our ability to work on programs accelerating the country's legal development, protecting women's rights and increasing their involvement in politics, encouraging sustainable development that safeguards natural resources, expanding access to information, and providing opportunity for greater international engagement. Read country overview.