Senior officials from the People’s Supreme Court are considering the establishment of a People’s Court in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Bokeo province.

President of the People’s Supreme Court Mrs Viengthong Siphandone chairs a meeting last week.

A meeting was convened last week to discuss the matter, chaired by the President of the People’s Supreme Court, Mrs Viengthong Siphandone.

Participants reviewed a decree issued in November last year on the structure and duties involved in the management and administration of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.

The meeting discussed the appointment of a steering committee to supervise the management and administration of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone and a notice issued by the Minister of Home Affairs regarding implementation of the decree.

Under the decree, 20 sectors were defined, one of which spells out the structure of the judiciary in considering and making judgements on cases that occur in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone on the basis of the Lao constitution and laws.

The People’s Supreme Court is responsible for fulfilling the government’s resolutions and orders, including a resolution on improving the efficiency of state and societal management through stronger law enforcement.

In addition, the people’s Supreme Court is responsible for fulfilling a resolution on improving the quality of the justice process, as well as ensuring enforcement of the constitution and laws through the stipulated roles and duties of justice officials, especially in handing down appropriate sentences when judging cases forwarded for prosecution.

Last year, the People’s Supreme Court published the Victim Sensitive Courts Guidelines for judges, to ensure that victims of human trafficking are dealt with sensitively and given the necessary protection and assistance.

The guidelines constitute the first formal reference for justice officials in the Asean region taking into account the sensitivity of victims of human trafficking.

The guidelines will be distributed to judges, assistant judges and other court officials for use as a reference when human trafficking cases are being processed.

They support the national plan on combating human trafficking and strengthening the responsibility of courts in upholding the rights of victims, and supporting access to justice for women, girls and people with disabilities.