This Country Profile provides a basic overview of the legal history and institutional structures of the Lao People's Democratic Republic/Laos (Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao), based on research produced by GlobaLex at NYU Law School and the Library of Congress Under Laos' Constitution, Islamic law (sharīʿa or fiqh) has no legal status.
Country Background
Laos is a mountainous, landlocked country located in Southeast Asia. It is bounded by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. The capital of Laos is Vientiane (Viangchan). The official language is Lao. Laos is one of the poorest nations in Southeast Asia. The country’s population in 2017 was approximately 7.1 million. Laos is a predominantly Buddhist country, with about 65% of the population Buddhist. While there were once over 7,000 Muslims in Laos, war in the mid-1960s forced many of them to flee the country. Today, less than 100 Muslim families remain in Laos, mostly living in the country's capital. These families are primarily of Pashtun and Cambodian immigrant origin. They are primarily engaged in trade and the meat industry.
Constitution & Legal Structure
After gaining its independence from France in 1954, the Kingdom of Laos was established. However, Laos quickly fell into war, and by 1975, the royal family was overthrown and Laos became a communist country. Over time, though, Laos began to abandon Stalinist economics in favor of a more market-based economy. Later, with the adoption of the country's Constitution in 1991, Laos became a socialist country. Laos is thus referred to as a socialist state, operating under the one party system of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party. Under the amended Constitution of 2015, the government consists of the National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat), president, executive branch, Local People Assembly, local administration, People’s Court, and the Office of the Public Prosecutor. The legal system of Laos is a civil law system based off of the French system.
Constitutional Status of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no constitutional status in Laos.
Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law
Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Laos.
Dominant School of Islamic Law
Laos has no official school of Islamic law.
Sources of Law for Legal Research
Official Publications
Unofficial Databases
References:
For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].