MOSCOW, September 23 (RIA Novosti) – The government of Laos has passed a decree prohibiting Internet users from criticizing the government, its policies or the ruling party, Reuters reports.

Spreading “false” information that “distorts the truth to tarnish the dignity and undermine the rights of individuals, sectors, institutions and organisations” is illegal under the new law, signed on September 16, Laos’ state news agency KPL said.

Read more: RIA Novosti