During a ten-day visit to Laos, UN Special Envoy for Cultural Rights, Alexandra Xanthaki, highlighted ongoing concerns about the protection of cultural diversity and the rights of the country's minority ethnic groups, who make up nearly half of the population. While recognizing Laos' commitment to human rights, Xanthaki expressed concern over policies that continue to assimilate indigenous peoples into the dominant Lao group, along with forced village relocations in the name of development.

Xanthaki’s visit aimed to assess Laos’ progress on cultural rights, and she noted that although the country’s legal framework guarantees these rights, much work remains to be done in practice. She pointed out that policies often undermine the validity of diverse traditions and cultures, particularly in the context of economic development. The envoy warned that the widespread relocation of villages to make way for development projects is happening without adequate consent from affected communities, and she urged the government not to sacrifice cultural diversity for economic growth.

In her statement, Xanthaki emphasized that the prosperity of Laos should be built inclusively, where all ethnic groups feel free to preserve their way of life and contribute to development based on their own priorities. She stressed that development should not come at the cost of cultural rights and that policies must actively support the survival and flourishing of minority cultures, allowing them to contribute to the country’s growth.