Thailand To Deport More Hmong Refugees

Thailand To Deport More Hmong Refugees Despite International Outrage

Thai television reports claim the Thai government will deport the remaining Hmong refugee population back to Laos. There are believed to be over 400 Hmong in the Bangkok and Lop Buri areas, including almost 300 who are already recognized as refugees by the UNHCR.

Just two weeks ago, Thailand forcibly deported over 4000 Hmong refugees to Laos despite outrage from international human rights organizations, the UNHCR, the U.S. and foreign diplomatic community.

Coinciding with the Thai government’s announcement to deport this last remaining group was a U.S. Congressional delegation visit to one of the Hmong returnee settlements in Laos. Three U.S. Congressmen were allowed on a government-minded tour of Pha Lak settlement. Congressman Eni Faleomavaega was quoted in the press stating he witnessed no mistreatment of the group and that he was there to dispel misinformation that was circulating about returnees being executed by the government.

One could hardly call the visit very meaningful from a human rights monitor’s standpoint. Judging from past visits such as these, the refugees are told beforehand what to say and give a very rosy picture of their situation. The visitors are always led around on a tight leash by a team of Lao government minders and “media” personal. The ones doing most of the speaking are the government minders, not the refugees. The minders introduce the “tone” so that the refugees know what to say or be politically correct when the visitors “freely” converse with them.

One may find it very strange why the Lao government would allow a small congressional delegation to visit the group while on the other hand it continues to deny the UNHCR or professional human rights monitors any kind of access to these returnees. Unfettered access to these returnees is the key.

These highly orchestrated government-minded tours tell us very little. The participants who agree to such government-minded tours help legitimize the Lao government’s secrecy. Without unfettered or unmonitored access we will never know how the Lao government is treating these returnees.

ENDS