Laos: Government issues strict new Internet regulations

October 27, 2000

His Excellency Khamtay Siphandone
President, Lao People's Democratic Republic
Office of the President
Samsantay Road
Vientiane, Laos

FAX: 856-21-22-36-38

Your Excellency:

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply disturbed by your government's efforts to restrict the exchange of news and information over the Internet.

A notice published in the October 26 edition of the Vientiane Times, a government newspaper, warned people "not to use the Internet in the wrong way" and included a number of rules governing online content. The guidelines had been circulated a few days earlier by the Khao Sane Pathet Lao (KPL) news agency, which stated that those who disregard the rules "will be warned, educated, fined, expelled, or prosecuted according to the law," as reported by The Associated Press.

The new guidelines were issued by the government's National Internet Management Committee. They include a ban on using the Internet for "propagating misleading news stories to create ... doubts among the public, at home or abroad." The vague wording of the rules makes them particularly prone to abuse by officials seeking to suppress news that might embarrass the government, which already exerts tight control over print and broadcast media.

As an organization of journalists dedicated to the defense of press freedom around the world, CPJ respectfully reminds you that Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights grants all people the right to circulate information freely "through any media and regardless of frontiers."

CPJ urges Your Excellency to ensure that the Internet in Laos remains free of government monitoring and interference. Ordering the withdrawal of these pernicious Internet guidelines would be a critical first step toward improving the climate for free expression in the country.

Sincerely,

Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director

His Excellency Gen. Khamtay Siphandone
President, Lao People's Democratic Republic
Office of the President
Lane Xang Avenue
Vientiane, Laos
VIA FAX: +856-21-214-208

 

Notice for Internet users

The National Internet Management Committee has this week issued a notice to warn people not to use the Internet in the wrong way.

The notice says that all individuals, organisations and Internet service shops in the country are banned from using the Internet in the following ways:

1. Lying, deceiving or persuading people inside or outside the country to protest against the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government of the
Lao People's Democratic Republic, or to destroy the peace, independence, democracy, unity and prosperity of the Lao PDR.

2. Backing or promoting activities that are violent, criminal, and unstable, disturbing the peace and happiness of the community.

3. Falsifying and propagating misleading news stories to create violence or encourage hatred, abhorrence, discord, or doubts among the public at home or abroad.

4. Exporting or importing any pornographic pictures, technical designs or other pictures which are prohibited in the Lao PDR or sensitive to national customs and copyright. All advertising of sexual services is banned.

5. Publishing national, military or other secrets identified in decrees or laws of the Lao PDR.

6. Publishing information that is incorrect and unacceptable, aiming to harm the honour and rights of individuals, groups and organisations.

7. Using names, pictures, signatures, voices, passwords, credit cards, personal documents and benefits of other people or organisations without permission.

The notice states that if any individual and organisation contravenes this notice, they will be warned, educated, fined, expelled or prosecuted according to the law of the Lao PDR.