All posts tagged: Human Rights

UN expert: Laos’ approach ‘destroyed livelihoods, entrenched vulnerability’

Published by Staff

The remains of Mai village after the dam collapse in Attapeu. © Bassam Khawaja 2019. Laos’ economic and poverty alleviation approach is counterproductive to its impoverished population’s health and puts their rights at risk, according to a scathing preliminary report by United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston, which was recorded live for the first time. Alston delivered the report at the UN House in Vientiane Thursday after investigating the human rights of people in poverty in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The report includes the status of rural children, women and ethnic minorities, environmental issues and climate change, the role of foreign investment and infrastructure projects, access to social support, education and healthcare, and more. Alston acknowledged the government’s progress in reducing poverty, such as lowering the number of those living below the poverty line in half, but said its methods to grow the economy have “destroyed livelihoods, entrenched vulnerability, and actually made some people poorer by taking away their access to lands, livelihoods, and resources.” Almost 1/4 of the population lives in poverty and an …

Missing Memories: Growing up with Uncle Sombath Somphone

Published by littlelaosontheprairie

I can’t remember when the first time I met Uncle Sombath Somphone, but I remember well my first time I met Auntie Shui Meng. I was around 4-years-old and running around in front of my grandmother’s house in Thakhek, Khammuane province. I spotted a woman smiling at me and said to me that I had beautiful eyes. Later, I remembered that my mother took me to Uncle Sombath’s house and asked if I wanted to live with them and I agreed. I lived with uncle and auntie until now. Somchit was the name that Uncle Sombath gave to me. When I grew up, I asked him why he gave me such an old fashioned name. He said my name back then was Noy, which was too common. He told me that my name means that “being as your heart wishes” or “be as what you wish.” I came to realize later that I also had a full name given by my own father, Phonephansa, which has never been used. I have lots of memories with …