Advancing the rule of law: Luxembourg supports a landmark law on legal dissemination in the Lao PDR

A significant step towards strengthening legal awareness and promoting a culture of respect for the law was undertaken as the Department of Law Dissemination of the Lao Ministry of Justice convened the inaugural meeting of the Law Drafting Committee for the proposed law on legal dissemination. This process, supported by the Rule of law, access to justice and good governance (ROLAG) programme, marks the launch of a key reform aimed at improving public access to legal information and reinforcing the rule of law in the Lao PDR.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Khamphan BOUNPHAKHOM, Vice Minister of Justice, and attended by Mr Phannola THONGCHAN, Director General of the Department of Law Dissemination, together with representatives from key government institutions, including the Central Propaganda and Training Committee, the National Assembly, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice, and members of the designated drafting committee. Also participating was Dr Reginald M. PASTRANA, Senior Sectoral Adviser of the ROLAG programme.

The meeting marked the formal commencement of the legislative drafting process and focused on defining the roles and responsibilities of committee members to ensure a coordinated, systematic, and evidence-based approach to the development of the law. Participants reviewed the overall drafting roadmap, including data collection, preparation of draft provisions, stakeholder consultations, policy validation, and eventual submission of the draft legislation to the National Assembly.

Committee members also examined the draft policy proposal and Regulatory Impact Assessment, providing technical inputs and agreeing on institutional responsibilities based on their respective mandates and expertise. These discussions laid the foundations for an inclusive and collaborative drafting process aimed at producing a practical and responsive legal framework.

As part of the technical exchange, Dr PASTRANA shared international experiences, best practices and lessons learned in the field of legal dissemination and public legal education. The presentation highlighted innovative approaches to improving citizens’ access to legal information and strengthening legal awareness, offering valuable insights for the development of a modern and effective legal dissemination system in the Lao PDR.

The proposed law on legal dissemination represents a landmark reform initiative that will contribute to the Party’s vision of progressively building a rule-of-law state. By strengthening legal education, enhancing public access to legal information, and promoting greater awareness of rights and responsibilities, the law is expected to improve compliance with legal norms, support good governance, and foster a more informed and law-abiding society.

Through its continued partnership with the Ministry of Justice, the ROLAG programme remains committed to supporting legal and institutional reforms that advance access to justice, strengthen the rule of law and promote good governance for all citizens of the Lao PDR.
 

The ROLAG programme is financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and jointly implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Justice, LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, ILSTA and the University of Luxembourg.