On 28 February 2022, Manushya Foundation sent a follow-up UN complaint to 11 United Nations Special Procedures to seek justice for the survivors of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam collapse in Attapeu Province, Laos, urging the Lao Government and implicated companies, including dam developers, banks, and insurers, to effectively address the adverse human rights and environmental impacts caused by the Lao dam collapse, and to provide effective, fair and adequate compensation to at least 7,000 survivors.

This follow-up UN complaint serves as a timely reminder of the broken promises received by survivors. After several years of the tragic Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam collapse in Attapeu Province in Laos, thousands of victims still have not received either full or fair compensation, and an estimated 3,600 people are still living in limbo in emergency camps, where poor living conditions have been reported: water shortage, restricted ventilation, and sanitation problems, to name a few. The Lao government and involved companies are still pointing fingers at each other for accountability, delivering justice, and providing adequate and effective compensation to the affected communities.

Keeping the fight alive: 11 UN Special Procedures on relevant thematic issues received the UN complaint in February this year. Subsequently, the UN Human Rights Experts sent a new Joint Allegation Letter to the Lao government and 22 companies, which will be made public in the coming months.