Poverty Challenges Persist In Laos Despite Progress

Poverty in Laos remains a serious issue in 2025, even though some progress has been made. About 17% of families still live below the poverty line, struggling to meet basic needs. High prices for food, medicine, and everyday essentials make life more difficult, especially for people in rural areas. Many families try to cope by [...]

Tackling Gender Inequality In Laos

Gender inequality is still a big issue in Laos. Many women and girls face challenges in education, work, and leadership. Fewer girls complete their education, and women often earn less money than men and are more likely to work in low-paid or informal jobs. While women make up nearly one-third of parliament, only about 22% [...]

Laos Faces Criticism Over Ongoing Human Rights Failures

The United Nations reviewed Laos’ human rights record and found little improvement since five years ago. Laos received 271 recommendations from other countries, mostly repeating past concerns. Countries urged Laos to investigate attacks and disappearances of critics, protect freedoms like speech and assembly, and follow international human rights rules. Despite this, the government continues to [...]

Flash Floods Hit Southern Laos After Storm Wutip

Tropical storm Wutip has caused heavy rain and flash floods in 54 villages in Khongxedon district, Saravan province, Laos, starting from June 13. The floods have damaged houses, farmland, schools, and roads, making travel difficult. Luckily, no injuries or deaths have been reported so far. Authorities are helping to move people, animals, and vehicles to [...]

DrugTrafficking Soars In Golden Triangle, Spreads Across Southeast Asia

Methamphetamine (meth) production and trafficking have surged in the “Golden Triangle” area where Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand meet, says the UN. In 2024, a record 236 tonnes of meth were seized in East and Southeast Asia, a 24% rise from 2023. Most meth comes from Myanmar’s Shan State, where civil war and weak control help [...]

Dengue Prevention Urged As Cases Rise In Laos

Lao authorities are urging the public and all sectors to remain vigilant in preventing the spread of dengue fever, especially during the rainy season, which creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. As of June 4, 2025, the Lao Ministry of Health reported 1,370 dengue cases nationwide, with no fatalities so far. The highest number of [...]

Christian Persecution In Communist Laos

Christians in Laos are brutally persecuted, particularly in rural settings where the government collaborates with Buddhist monks to suppress religious minorities. Christianity is considered a threat by the Communist regime, tending to target converts from ethnic minorities. In 2023, 79 Christian families in Khammouane Province were driven out and forced to abandon their religion. Permission [...]

Growing Human Trafficking Crisis In Laos

In 2024, Laos recorded 46 human trafficking cases, leading to the arrest of 95 suspects, including 43 foreign nationals, and the victimization of 85 people, 40 of them girls under 18. These figures were shared during a meeting of the National Anti-trafficking Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Public Security Minister General Vilay Lakhamfong. [...]

Mounting Debt Crisis In Laos

Laos is facing a severe debt crisis driven by excessive borrowing, mainly from China, for large infrastructure projects such as the Laos–China Railway and hydropower developments. Over five billion dollars in Chinese loans have led to overcapacity and financial losses, especially in the energy sector of the country. Weak governance, poor planning, declining revenues, and [...]

Ethnic Persecution In Laos

The Lao government has systematically persecuted ethnic minorities, particularly the Hmong since its one-party communist rule began in 1975. Branded as “hostile dissenters” due to their U.S. alliance during the Vietnam War, the Hmong are denied indigenous status and legal protections. Since the late 1970s, state-led military offensives have killed thousands and displaced around 300,000. [...]

Window International Network (WIN)

Window International Network (WIN)

Window International Network (WIN)
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