THE POLITICAL REGIME
Article 1. The Lao People's Democratic Republic is an independent country with sovereignty and territorial integrity
covering both territorial waters and airspace. It is a unified country belonging to all multi-ethnic people and is
indivisible.
Article 2. The state of the Lao People's Democratic Republic is a People's Democratic State. All powers are of the
people, by the people and for the interests of the multi-ethnic people of all strata in society with the workers,
farmers and intellectuals as key components.
Article 3. The rights of the multi-ethnic people to be the masters of the country are exercised and ensured through the
functioning of the political system with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party as its leading nucleus.
Article 4. The National Assembly is the organisation of the people's representatives. The election of members of the
National Assembly shall be carried out through the principles of universal, equal and direct suffrage, and secret
balloting.
Voters have the right to propose the dismissal of their own representatives if they are found to behave unfit to
their honour and to lose the people's confidence.
Article 5. The National Assembly and all other state organisations are established and function in accordance with the
principle of democratic centralism.
Article 6. The state protects the freedom and democratic rights of the people which cannot be violated by anyone. All
state organisations and functionaries must popularise and propagate all policies, regulations and laws among
the people and, together with the people, organise their implementations in order to guarantee the legitimate
rights and interests of the people. All acts of bureaucratism and harassment that can be physically harmful to
the people and detrimental to their honour, lives, consciences and property are prohibited.
Article 7. The Lao Front for National Constitution, the Lao Federation of Trade Union, the Lao People's Revolutionary
Youth Union, the Lao Women's Union and other social organisations are the organs to unite and mobilise all
strata of the multi-ethnic people for taking part in the tasks of national defence and construction; develop the
rights to mastership of the people and protect the legitimate rights and interests of members of their respective
organisations.
Article 8. The state pursues the policy of promoting unity and equality among all ethnic groups. All ethnic groups have
the rights to protect, preserve, and promote the fine customs and cultures of their own tribes and of the nation.
All acts of creating division and discrimination among ethnic groups are prohibited. The state implements every
measure to gradually develop and upgrade the levels of socio-economy of all ethnic groups.
Article 9. The state respects and protects all lawful activities of the Buddhists and of other religious followers mobilises
and encourages the Buddhist monks and novices as well as the priests of other religions to participate in the
activities which are beneficial to the country and people. All acts of creating division of religions and classes of
people are prohibited.
Article 10. The state manages the society by the provisions of the Constitution and laws. All party and state
organisations, mass organisations, social organisations and all citizens must function within the bounds of the
Constitution and laws.
Article 11. The state implements the policy of national defence and security with the participation of all people in all
aspects. The national defence and security forces must enhance their loyalty to the country and people ;
carry out the duty to protect the gains of the revolution, the lives, property and labour of the people ; and
contribute to the tasks of national development.
Article 12. The Lao People's Democratic Republic pursues the foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship and
cooperation; and promotes the relations and cooperation with all countries on the basis of the principles of
peaceful coexistence ; respect for - each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; non
-interference in each other's internal affairs ; equality and mutual inerests. The Lao People's Democratic
Republic supports the struggle of the world people for peace, national independence, democracy, and social
progress.
