[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 70 (Friday, May 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E961]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN LAOS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 1999

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce legislation 
that calls for democracy, free elections and basic human rights in the 
Lao People's Democratic Republic. This important resolution reaffirms 
and promotes our commitment to free and fair elections and basic human 
rights standards for the Lao people, especially the Lao-Hmong. While 
United States forces have departed Southeast Asia, the plight of the 
Lao-Hmong inside of Laos must not be forgotten.
  The continuous allegations of persecution and abuse of the Lao 
people, especially the Lao-Hmong, must not be overlooked. The United 
States must investigate these allegations promptly. Lao-Hmong families 
are reported to be threatened daily under the Communist regime in Laos. 
We must focus public attention to address such allegations in attempt 
to finally bring a halt to this persecution.
  I would like to remind my Colleagues that the service and 
contributions of the Lao-Hmong patriots had a major impact on achieving 
today's global order and the positive changes of the past decades. 
Extreme sacrifices were made by the Lao-Hmong in the jungles and in the 
highlands, whether in uniform or in the common clothing of the laborer. 
Thousands of U.S. soldier's lives were spared because of the Lao-Hmong 
patriots' support and help as they fought along side the United States 
forces in the Vietnam War. For their efforts, the Lao-Hmong deserve our 
thanks, our shelter and certainly fundamental human rights, freedoms, 
responsibility of democracy and openly-contested free and fair 
elections that will establish the right to self-determination in Laos.
  Despite frequent statements about its commitment to the enforcement 
of human rights standards in the country, the Laotian government's 
actual practices deviate from such important principles. The Government 
may have learned to ``talk the talk'' and make paper promises, but they 
must be held accountable to ``walk the walk.'' On a daily basis, the 
government violates the civil and political rights of Laotian citizens 
by denying them the basic freedoms of speech, assembly, and 
association. According to the State Department Country Reports on Human 
Rights Practices for 1998, the Laotian government has only slowly eased 
restrictions on basic freedoms and continues to significantly restrict 
the freedoms of speech, assembly and religion.
  Moreover, Amnesty International reports that serious problems persist 
in the human rights record of the Government of Laos. Such reports 
include the continued detention of political prisoners and the 
treatment of such prisoners in a manner that is degrading, abusive and 
inhumane. In February of this year, one political prisoner, Thongsouk 
Saysanghi, died in a remote prison camp in Laos. In addition, an 
unknown number of other political prisoners still remain inside of 
Laotian prisons. Amnesty International has made repeated appeals to the 
Lao authorities to improve the conditions of the detentions of the 
prisoners. Such appeals have been ignored, resulting in this tragic 
death. That Thongsouk died and the unknown number of other prisoners 
still remain to be left in such critical conditions in the face of 
these many expressions of concern highlights not only the Lao 
Government's complete lack of care of its political prisoners, but its 
contempt for the opinion of the international community.
  Specifically, my resolution calls upon the Laotian government to 
respect international norms of human rights and democratic freedoms as 
embodied in its constitution and international agreements; issue a 
public statement specifically reaffirming its commitment to protecting 
religious freedom and other basic human rights, fully institute a 
process of democracy, human rights openly and free and fair elections 
in Laos, and specifically ensures that the National Assembly elections, 
currently scheduled for 2002, are openly contested; and allow access 
for international human rights monitors, including the International 
Committee of the Red Cross and Amnesty International inside of Lao 
prisons and all regions of the country to investigate allegations of 
human rights abuse, especially those against the Lao-Hmong, when 
requested.
  The United States must continue to ask the tough questions and not 
accept a blissful lack of knowledge as satisfactory. My resolution 
builds upon similar Senate action last Congress and amendments, which I 
have authored, that have been added to the State Department 
Authorization in previous House action, but have not been enacted into 
law due to other matters. Much more needs to be done in regards to this 
matter. U.S. policy and law must be changed if we expect results. 
Congress must ensure that the Lao Government is held accountable for 
their actions and inactions. Importantly, Laos is seeking normal trade 
and diplomatic relations with the United States and the global 
community. But, the policy and conduct of the Laotian government in 
regards to human rights must be transparent prior to putting in place 
such political and economic policy. We owe the people of Laos the moral 
obligation to remain diligent to their human rights circumstance and 
plight.

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