Laos has taken a huge stride in the advancement of the international and national rule of law by ratifying three international conventions of the United Nations in New York on Wednesday.
The three documents ratified included the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the Multilateral Agreement for the Establishment of an International Think Tank for Landlocked Developing Countries; and the Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their Utilisation to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The ratifications took place during the 67th session of the UN General Assembly's annual general debate which opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith led the Lao delegation at the event.
Heads of state and government, ministers and other senior officials from 193 UN members were also present to discuss international issues of concern. These included the Middle East issue, minimising the use of force, the economic crisis, climate change, and the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.
So far, Laos has ratified more than 100 international conventions. These include seven of the total nine international conventions relating to human rights, reflecting the political intention of Laos to subscribe to UN conventions.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Laos has fulfilled its obligations as stipulated in the international conventions it is a party to, particularly the promotion and protection of human rights.
Laos has also met goals that ensure people of all ethnicities can exercise their full rights, as well as ensuring equal rights between men and women, the right of access to education, and so on.
The three new UN conventions ratified in New York on Wednesday will help to fulfil Laos' master plan on creating a state governed by the rule of law, which is in effect from now until 2020.
The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 members of the United Nations, theGeneral Assembly meets in regular se ssions intensively from September to December each year and thereafter as required.
During the 67th session of the UN General Assembly, Dr Thongloun held bilateral talks with his counterparts from China, Iran, Finland and Chile, as well as meeting with the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Dr Thongloun briefed them on the progress of Laos' preparations to host the 9th ASEM Summit in Vientiane on November 5-6.
