Social development
Four sentenced for roles in Preah Vihear ELC protest
The Preah Vihear Provincial Court on 17 May sentenced four men for burning a contentious fence during a 2014 protest against an economic land concession in Kulen district held by the FP Malaysia (Cambodia) Plantation. Lor Chan, the provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc said,“Even though the ...
Yangon ‘peace walk’ leaders charged for illegal assembly
Student leaders who led an interfaith “peace walk” of almost 100 people in downtown of Yangon on 14 May are to be charged under Article 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law. The participants of the peace walk, many of whom were drawn from the Yangon ...
Protesters hinder land titling in Kompong Speu over fishing rights
Officials in Cambodia’s Kompong Speu province have had to suspend their efforts to grant private land titles over part of a 40-hectare reservoir dating back to the Khmer Rouge in the face of a protest mounted by more than 100 locals afraid of losing their ...
Wanbao requests talks with Letpadaung protesters
In response to protests outside the site of a controversial, re-launched copper mine, the company behind the project released a statement ridiculing the demonstration as representing a reckless minority. Residents are calling on the government to intervene, and have said the mine should not be allowed ...
UN rights council comes down heavily on junta
Thailand came under severe criticism over the human rights situation in the country with international delegates of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) raising serious concerns in Geneva yesterday.At the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session, the Thai delegation led by Justice Ministry permanent secretary ...
WHO extends support for health sector reform
The World Health Organisation has provided US$6 million to the Lao government to improve the sustainable development of the health sector. Associate Prof. Dr Bounkong said this was an opportunity to reaffirm the continuing collaborative relationship between the ministry of health and the WHO in supporting ...
Gold miners face business shutdown
Thailand’s gold mining industry is set to go out of business as the cabinet has decided to stop renewing and issuing licences for gold ore exploration and gold mining following a public outcry over health and environmental issues. Industry Minister Atchaka Sibunruang said the cabinet had ...
Officials, experts mull agricultural research priorities
Lao officials and international researchers met in Vientiane on 10 May to discuss how agricultural research can best be aligned with the priorities laid out in key government documents. According to a document released at the meeting, the ministry’s strategic direction targets food and nutrition security, ...
VFF leader discusses religious issues with US guest
Freedom of religion and the building of a law on belief and religion in Vietnam were discussed during a meeting between Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Le Ba Trinh and visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Tom ...
Public figures ‘must tolerate criticism’
Academics and activists on 8 May called for the government and its leaders to tolerate criticism as its reaction to being mocked could violate people’s freedom of expression. Public figures must be able to take criticism otherwise they should stay at home and raise grandchildren, said ...
