HANOI (AFP) — The communist authorities in Laos, one of Asia's poorest nations, have signed a decree to allow local non-governmental organisations for the first time, foreign aid agencies said on Monday.
More than 100 local organisations of various types already exist in the country but are not centrally registered, said Luke Stephens, country director of the Irish-based NGO Concern Worldwide.
The decree provides a clear legal framework for membership-based groups, in contrast to the existing situation under which registration is done on a more ad hoc basis, said Stephens, whose group backed the drafting of the decree.
"Now it's a much more transparent process," he said. "With the former system you could only register if you had connections."
Stephens added that "it's hard to understate the significance" of the decree signed on April 29 by Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh.
"It means anyone can register and then they have a secure and legal way to work and not be hindered by someone that doesn't like them."
Groups would, for example, be able to join together to work on poverty, development, health and other issues facing the country, he said.
"At least we have a decree to set up local NGOs, and that's a big step in Laos," said Isabelle Decout, of the INGO Network, a coordinating body of 65 international aid groups in the country.
A report in the Vientiane Times on Monday described the decree as "a historic move" for the country of almost seven million people.
"By November this year Lao citizens will be able to apply to form NGOs," the United Nations said in a press release that welcomed "this important development in Lao civil society."
The United Nations Development Programme worked with Concern Worldwide and local authorities to back the decree, which the UN said will allow local not-for-profit associations to register and operate as independent entities for the first time.
Two or more people can ask to form an association under the decree, which "provides a guideline for Lao officials as they consider applications", the UN press release said, citing a Lao official.
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