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Statement
20 April 2011
Demand for Lao Government to Halt Xayaburi Dam Construction
to Avoid Conflict with Mekong Countries
We, the Thai Mekong Community Network of 8 Provinces have been closely monitoring the Xayaburi Dam project on the Mekong mainstream in Lao PDR due to concerns over the dams impacts on the rivers ecosystem and the livelihoods of over 60 million people in four Lower Mekong countries. We joined the consultations in Thailand organized by the Thai National Mekong Commission, and in early April held our own forums in Northeast Thailand. We have also submitted sign-on letters to Thai and Lao Prime Ministers, Thai Senators, and the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, demanding for the Xayaburi Dam to be delayed; adequate information disclosure, and participatory consultation, in order to ensure that decision-making for the Xayaburi dam considers full social and environmental costs, and the well-being of the Mekongs people.
On April 19, the MRCs Joint Committee meeting agreed that a decision on the proposed Xayaburi dam will be considered at a ministerial level as the JC could not reach consensus regarding how to proceed with the project.
However, the Lao government insisted that the process was complete, while the other three riparian countries expressed their concerns on transboundary and cumulative impacts.
This makes it clear that the Lao government is not listening to its neighbors, who jointly share the resources of the Mekong.
We, the Thai Mekong Community Network of 8 Provinces urge the Lao government to halt all construction work on the Xayaburi dam and wait for the decision to be made at the ministerial meeting.
This is to avoid creating conflict amongst the Mekong riparian countries.
We will continue our work to save our Mother Mekong River.
Thai Mekong Community Network of 8 provinces |
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