Joint Op-ed to mark the International Day against Death Penalty 2026 in Lao PDR
Justice with Dignity: Reflections on Laos’ 30 Years Without Executions
Every year on 10 October, the international community marks the World Day Against the Death Penalty. It is a moment of reflection on the meaning of justice, on the value of human dignity, and on the ways societies across the globe are evolving in their approaches to punishment and reconciliation.
In the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, no executions have taken place for more than three decades. This quiet but meaningful fact speaks to a commitment to restraint and respect for life. While capital punishment remains in the law, the choice not to apply it in practice for over 30 years reflects an approach aligned with the global trend towards more humane forms of justice.
Many countries in the world have chosen to abolish the death penalty, like Lebanon most recently in August 2026, Zimbabwe in 2024 and Ghana in 2023. Others have reduced the number of crimes carrying the death penalty as mandatory punishment, such as Malaysia in 2023 and Vietnam in 2025. In the Lao PDR, where the majority of the population adheres to Buddhist teachings that emphasise mercy and compassion, the taking of life is regarded as a grave sin. Guided by these values, the Lao Government recognises that justice is not solely about punishment, but also about compassion, forgiveness, and respect for the sanctity of life. While capital punishment remains reserved under the law, the Penal Code has been amended to reduce the number of offences subject to the death penalty from 18 to 12 with the purpose of serving as deterrent to most serious crimes.
The EU’s own experience has shown that moving away from capital punishment strengthens public trust in justice systems, reduces the risk of irreversible mistakes, and affirms society’s belief in human dignity.
As the world observes this day, the European Union pays tribute to Laos for its long-standing de facto moratorium on executions. It is a quiet achievement, but one of real significance. It demonstrates that justice can be done without resorting to the ultimate and irreversible punishment. The Lao PDR’s example over the past three decades offers not only an achievement to recognise, but also a thoughtful and inspiring contribution to the global conversation on the future of justice and accountability, and related needs in the Lao PDR.
Co-signed by: European Union Delegation to Lao PDR and the Embassies of France, Germany, Luxembourg and Hungary, and the Swiss Cooperation Office.