Center for Public Policy Analysis, November 17, 2009
Thailand's Army Commander, General Anupong Paochinda, as well as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, have mobilized over 320 heavily-armed troops to the Lao Hmong refugee camp at Ban Huay Nam Khao, Thailand, and are reportedly preparing for the potential mass forced repatriation of the refugees prior to the start of the Southeast Asia Games (SEA Games) in Laos.
The forthcoming SEA Games, slated to begin in December, have been darkened by the intervention by the Lao army and secret police in Vientiane and elsewhere in Laos who, along with special units of the Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA), have reportedly arrested, detained or imprisoned over 1176 Laotians this month.
Sourced from: Scoop http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0911/S00581.htm)
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
UN PRAISED LAOS WHILE HMONG REFUGEES HELD HOSTAGE September 30, 2009
Taken directly from Hmong International Human Rights Watch: http://www.hmongihrw.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=36
The United Nations has publicly praised Laos for its recent ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a major UN human rights treaty. Serge Verniau, UN Resident Coordinator in Laos, stated “This is a significant moment in the evolution of the country’s commitment with the promotion and protection of human rights and the UN Country team stands ready to support the Government in the realization of these conventions.”
Even the Lao state-controlled media boasts to have “taken a huge stride in the advancement of the international and national rule of law” by ratifying the treaty.
Yet, at the very same time, the Lao government continues to hold a group of 158 UNHCR-recognized Hmong refugees hostage. These refugees fled political persecution in Laos but have been held in an overcrowded jail in Nong Khai, Thailand for the past 3 years, due to pressure from the Lao government who is blackmailing Thailand to repatriate the group.
On two separate occasions the Thai government had agreed to allow these refugees resettlement in third countries but due to a huge amount of pressure from the Lao government backed off. The refugees, mainly women and children, continue to be held under horrible cramped unsanitary living conditions due to this continuing pressure from the Lao side.
Back on November 17, 2006, the Lao government had closely coordinated with Thai police in Bangkok orchestrating a police raid targeting this group of UNHCR-recognized refugees. They were later transferred to Nong Khai immigration jail where they have lived ever since.
The group targeted includes witnesses of an April 2006 jungle massacre in which Lao troops reportedly killed 26 Hmong civilians. This is a very delicate matter with the Lao government who continues to deny that such attacks take place. This is due to the fact that these jungle Hmong are remnants of the CIA’s secret army who fought against the Lao communists during the Vietnam War.
On December 19, 2006, the Lao and Thai governments signed a bi-lateral agreement to deport these Hmong refugees back to Laos. Although this would be in clear violation of international refugee law this is what the Lao government continually uses to justify their return to Laos, and that no third-party interfere in the matter.
I think this line taken from one of Amnesty International’s annual reports sums up the situation best:
“Intergovernmental organizations such as the UN are the sum of their member states. Decisions reflect the will of governments. With few exceptions, governments act on the basis of their perceived economic, political or security interests, often at the expense of their human rights treaty obligations. Yet governments undertake these obligations freely, and governments must be held to account for their actions in their own country and on the international stage.”
How can the UN praise Laos for signing this treaty while at the same time their government is holding 158 UN refugees hostage?
Joe Davy
Hmong Advocate, Chicago
The United Nations has publicly praised Laos for its recent ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a major UN human rights treaty. Serge Verniau, UN Resident Coordinator in Laos, stated “This is a significant moment in the evolution of the country’s commitment with the promotion and protection of human rights and the UN Country team stands ready to support the Government in the realization of these conventions.”
Even the Lao state-controlled media boasts to have “taken a huge stride in the advancement of the international and national rule of law” by ratifying the treaty.
Yet, at the very same time, the Lao government continues to hold a group of 158 UNHCR-recognized Hmong refugees hostage. These refugees fled political persecution in Laos but have been held in an overcrowded jail in Nong Khai, Thailand for the past 3 years, due to pressure from the Lao government who is blackmailing Thailand to repatriate the group.
On two separate occasions the Thai government had agreed to allow these refugees resettlement in third countries but due to a huge amount of pressure from the Lao government backed off. The refugees, mainly women and children, continue to be held under horrible cramped unsanitary living conditions due to this continuing pressure from the Lao side.
Back on November 17, 2006, the Lao government had closely coordinated with Thai police in Bangkok orchestrating a police raid targeting this group of UNHCR-recognized refugees. They were later transferred to Nong Khai immigration jail where they have lived ever since.
The group targeted includes witnesses of an April 2006 jungle massacre in which Lao troops reportedly killed 26 Hmong civilians. This is a very delicate matter with the Lao government who continues to deny that such attacks take place. This is due to the fact that these jungle Hmong are remnants of the CIA’s secret army who fought against the Lao communists during the Vietnam War.
On December 19, 2006, the Lao and Thai governments signed a bi-lateral agreement to deport these Hmong refugees back to Laos. Although this would be in clear violation of international refugee law this is what the Lao government continually uses to justify their return to Laos, and that no third-party interfere in the matter.
I think this line taken from one of Amnesty International’s annual reports sums up the situation best:
“Intergovernmental organizations such as the UN are the sum of their member states. Decisions reflect the will of governments. With few exceptions, governments act on the basis of their perceived economic, political or security interests, often at the expense of their human rights treaty obligations. Yet governments undertake these obligations freely, and governments must be held to account for their actions in their own country and on the international stage.”
How can the UN praise Laos for signing this treaty while at the same time their government is holding 158 UN refugees hostage?
Joe Davy
Hmong Advocate, Chicago
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
WILL THE THAI GOV KEEP ITS WORD?
Laos is now insisting that the 158 in Nong Khai be forced back to Laos, even though the Thai Govt said they could be sent to 3rd countries
Call or email your complaints about this issue NOW! See below (under link to article) for telephone numbers/email addresses/addresses.
LINK TO THE ARTICLE: Send the Hmong back Laos says, By Supalak GanjanakhundeeThe NationLaos insisted yesterday that 158 Hmong refugees being detained in Nong Khai must be repatriated back to Laos as normal migrants. The Nation – 5/14/09: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/05/14/regional/regional_30102668.php (see below)
TEL/EMAIL/ADDRESS OF WHO TO COMPLAIN TO:
The Editor of “The Nation” news reporting:
email: click on this link to them: Nation Internet
US Secretary of State Secretary Hillary Clinton
US State Department
PA/PL, Rm. 2206
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
Tel: 202-647-6575
The US Ambassador in Thailand Ambassado Eric John
C/O: Consular Section, U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai
387 Witchayanond Road,
Chiang Mai 50300,
Thailand
Tel: +66-53-252-629
Fax: +66-53-252-633
E-mail: bangkokPD@state.gov
Home Page: http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/
Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC
1024 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
Washington D.C. 20007
Tel. (202) 944-3600
Fax. (202) 944-3611
E-mail: thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org
http://www.thaiembdc.org/
Send the Hmong back, Laos says
By Supalak GanjanakhundeeThe Nation
Laos insisted yesterday that 158 Hmong refugees being detained in Nong Khai must be repatriated back to Laos as normal migrants.
"We have cleared a common understanding that they have to return to Laos first. If any-body wants to settle in other countries, we will consider that case-by-case," Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said.
Thongloun is in Thailand accompanying Lao President Choumaly Sayasone on a state visit. He met and discussed the Hmong refugee case - which has drawn condemnation from the UN - with his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya.
If any third countries wanted to resettle the Hmong they should contact the Lao government directly, Thongloun said.
The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all said they are ready to take some of the 158 Hmong, who have been held at Nong Khai Immigration Detention Centre for over two years.
The refugees, who say they fled to Thailand following an alleged massacre near Vang Vieng in April 2006, strongly oppose any return to Laos. They have told supporters they will forcibly resist any such move, as they fear Lao authorities will jail their leaders rather than allow them to go abroad.
Countries such as the US had planned to resettle the Hmong - all of who have refugee status - via Thailand.
The plight of the Hmong in Nong Khai has been uncertain since Kasit said last month they were political asylum seekers eligible for resettlement overseas.
Laos objected, insisting the 158 were normal illegal migrants who should be sent back to Laos with 5,000 other Hmong, living in a camp in Phetchabun's Ban Huay Nam Khao.
"Shall we stick to the policy which we have already agreed?" Thongloun said. "All ethnic Hmong should return to Laos. Thailand is ready to repatriate and Laos is also to receive them," he said.
Call or email your complaints about this issue NOW! See below (under link to article) for telephone numbers/email addresses/addresses.
LINK TO THE ARTICLE: Send the Hmong back Laos says, By Supalak GanjanakhundeeThe NationLaos insisted yesterday that 158 Hmong refugees being detained in Nong Khai must be repatriated back to Laos as normal migrants. The Nation – 5/14/09: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/05/14/regional/regional_30102668.php (see below)
TEL/EMAIL/ADDRESS OF WHO TO COMPLAIN TO:
The Editor of “The Nation” news reporting:
email: click on this link to them: Nation Internet
US Secretary of State Secretary Hillary Clinton
US State Department
PA/PL, Rm. 2206
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
Tel: 202-647-6575
The US Ambassador in Thailand Ambassado Eric John
C/O: Consular Section, U.S. Consulate General Chiang Mai
387 Witchayanond Road,
Chiang Mai 50300,
Thailand
Tel: +66-53-252-629
Fax: +66-53-252-633
E-mail: bangkokPD@state.gov
Home Page: http://chiangmai.usconsulate.gov/
Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC
1024 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
Washington D.C. 20007
Tel. (202) 944-3600
Fax. (202) 944-3611
E-mail: thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org
http://www.thaiembdc.org/
Send the Hmong back, Laos says
By Supalak GanjanakhundeeThe Nation
Laos insisted yesterday that 158 Hmong refugees being detained in Nong Khai must be repatriated back to Laos as normal migrants.
"We have cleared a common understanding that they have to return to Laos first. If any-body wants to settle in other countries, we will consider that case-by-case," Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said.
Thongloun is in Thailand accompanying Lao President Choumaly Sayasone on a state visit. He met and discussed the Hmong refugee case - which has drawn condemnation from the UN - with his Thai counterpart Kasit Piromya.
If any third countries wanted to resettle the Hmong they should contact the Lao government directly, Thongloun said.
The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all said they are ready to take some of the 158 Hmong, who have been held at Nong Khai Immigration Detention Centre for over two years.
The refugees, who say they fled to Thailand following an alleged massacre near Vang Vieng in April 2006, strongly oppose any return to Laos. They have told supporters they will forcibly resist any such move, as they fear Lao authorities will jail their leaders rather than allow them to go abroad.
Countries such as the US had planned to resettle the Hmong - all of who have refugee status - via Thailand.
The plight of the Hmong in Nong Khai has been uncertain since Kasit said last month they were political asylum seekers eligible for resettlement overseas.
Laos objected, insisting the 158 were normal illegal migrants who should be sent back to Laos with 5,000 other Hmong, living in a camp in Phetchabun's Ban Huay Nam Khao.
"Shall we stick to the policy which we have already agreed?" Thongloun said. "All ethnic Hmong should return to Laos. Thailand is ready to repatriate and Laos is also to receive them," he said.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 158 Hmong in Nong Khai IDC to be resettled in third countries!
Govt will aid third country resettlement for 158 Hmong: Kasit
Thailand will facilitate resettlement in third countries for 158 Hmong refugees being detained in Nong Khai, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said yesterday.
"They are regarded as politicalasylum seekers, so they have the right to request resettlement in the United States and other countries," Kasit told reporters via teleconference from Washington.
Kasit discussed the issue with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during his visit to the US this week.
Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US have expressed willingness to take eligible politicalasylum seekers for resettlement.
Kasit did not say how many the US and others would each be prepared to take but added that the Foreign Ministry would work this out with the countries' embassies in Bangkok.
However, about 5,000 Hmong in Phetchabun's Ban Huay Nam Khao shelter are not qualified for resettlement since they are normal economic migrants, the minister said.
Thailand and Laos agreed last month to repatriate all of the remaining 5,000 Hmong in Phetchabun by the end of the year, Kasit said.
The two governments will conduct the repatriation programme with transparency to ensure the Hmong can return to their homeland in safety and have good living conditions, he added.
The international community will be able to monitor the returnees. After returning to Laos, they will have the right to ask the Lao government for permission to resettle in other countries, but Thailand will not arrange this for them, Kasit said.
The Hmong in Nong Khai are in a different category. The original group of 147 recognised refugees was rounded up in Bangkok for deportation on November 17, 2006, and was then moved to the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Centre just across the Mekong River from Vientiane on December 8, 2006.
With 11 babies born while their parents have been in detention, their number now stands at 158.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees issued protection for this group as "persons of concern".
Pressure Grows on Lao Hmong
Pressure Grows on Lao Hmong
2009-03-10
Lao Hmong asylum-seekers get a high-level visit but remain determined not to go back to Laos.
NONGKHAI, Thailand: Hmong refugee families behind bars at a Thai detention center, Aug. 21, 2008.
NONGKHAI, Thailand—Former top Lao government officials have made a personal appeal to a group of minority Hmong asylum-seekers detained in Thailand's northeast Nongkhai province to return to Laos.
But Hmong sources say the effort fell flat.
“We would rather stay here—even with these living conditions. We would rather stay here and die in the detention center,” one Hmong source said, referring to the Nongkhai Immigration Detention Center.
“The word from the government is for us to go back. That’s what they say. 'Once you go back, you can live anywhere you want.' But we don’t believe them. We won’t go back to Laos."
We don’t believe them."
Lao Hmong
Thailand says the Hmong in Nongkhai are economic migrants and illegal immigrants, and has threatened to begin forced repatriations if the Nongkhai Hmong refuse to go home of their own free will by June 1.
But overseas rights groups say the vast majority of the Hmong detained in Nongkhai are political refugees who fear persecution or worse if returned to Laos.
Pressure on Obama
Last month, members of the U.S. Congress wrote a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, calling on her to "pressure the Thai government to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) access to the detainees in order to determine their refugee status".
Unbiased screening by the UNHCR was "an important and long overdue step that must be taken immediately," the letter said.
A group of 196 Hmong was forcibly repatriated to Laos by Thailand on Feb. 1, meeting with no protest from the U.S. government, it added.
During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama stopped short of mentioning the possibility of resettlement in the United States, saying only that international law should be upheld, and that displaced Hmong should not be placed in harm’s way.
Resettlement 'not an option'
The Lao delegation to the Hmong refugees in Thailand included the chairman of the Lao-Thai border sub-committee and a former foreign ministry spokesman, who spent two hours with representatives of the 158 still being held in Nongkhai.
Border sub-committee chairman Maj. Gen. Bouasieng Champaphanh and former Lao foreign ministry spokesman Yong Chanthalangsy also brought along four residents of Phalak village—one of the areas earmarked by the government for repatriated asylum-seekers—to help make their case.
The delegation told the group that they could either return to Laos, where the government would provide freedom and land, or remain in the detention center indefinitely, according to knowledgeable sources.
Resettlement in a third country was not an option, the officials said.
The 158 Hmong in Nongkhai meanwhile remain "persons of concern," according to the Bangkok Refugee Center, which works under contract with the UNHCR.
“These people have ‘person of concern’ status from the UNHCR—all of them,” a Bangkok Refugee Center staff member said.
“We have already reviewed these cases and know their identification papers have expired, but they still have that status. Their status has been recorded with the UNHCR office.”
Long history
Many Hmong fought on the side of a pro-U.S. Laotian government in the 1960s and 70s before the communist takeover of their country in 1975.
More than 300,000 Lao, Hmong included, fled to Thailand after the takeover. Most were resettled in third countries, particularly the United States, though several thousand were voluntarily repatriated.
Thailand says the Hmong have violated Thai law by entering the country illegally. Thailand and Laos agreed in 2007 that all should be repatriated.
Some 1,800 Hmong were repatriated to Laos last year, but more than 5,000 remain at the Huay Nam Khao detention camp in Thailand, along with the 158 in Nongkhai.
Original reporting by RFA Lao service director Viengsay Luangkhot in Bangkok. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Sarah Jackson-Han. Edited by Luisetta Mudie. Executive producer: Susan Lavery.http://www.rfa.org/english/news/laos/hmong-03102009172518.html
Friday, January 2, 2009
HELP BY WRITING A SIMPLE LETTER
WRITE A LETTER AND HELP THE 158 HMONG REFUGEES JAILED AT NONG KHAI IMMIGRATION CENTER
The 158 Hmong refugees being held in deplorable conditions at Nong Khai Immigration and Detention Center in Thailand have done nothing to be jailed for -- except escape from Laos, with its policy of torture, killing, war crimes against children, and attack and pursuit of the jungle Hmong. They have suffered in this jail for more than two years and deserve justice. The countries of Australia, the U.S., Canada, and The Netherlands offered to take them, but Thailand refuses to release them. The letters will serve a dual purpose: To let the refugees know that people all over the world are concerned about them, and to let officials in Thailand and Laos know that the world is watching and we expect justice to be served!
WRITE A LETTER AND HELP THE 158 HMONG REFUGEES JAILED AT NONG KHAI IMMIGRATION CENTER
The 158 Hmong refugees being held in deplorable conditions at Nong Khai Immigration and Detention Center in Thailand have done nothing to be jailed for -- except escape from Laos, with its policy of torture, killing, war crimes against children, and attack and pursuit of the jungle Hmong. They have suffered in this jail for more than two years and deserve justice. The countries of Australia, the U.S., Canada, and The Netherlands offered to take them, but Thailand refuses to release them. The letters will serve a dual purpose: To let the refugees know people all over the world are concerned about them, and to let officials in Thailand and Laos know that the world is watching and we expect justice to be served!
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- WRITE A SHORT PERSONAL LETTER OR POST CARD TELLING THE HMONG REFUGEES YOU KNOW OF THEIR PLIGHT AND CARE ABOUT THEM.
- INCLUDE A HEART OR ANOTHER SYMBOL OF YOUR CARING AND LOVE, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR LETTER IS NOT IN ENGLISH. YOU MAY ALSO SEND SMALL, INEXPENSIVE GIFTS OR BABY CLOTHES. MANY OF THOSE BEING HELD ARE CHILDREN.
- ADDRESS YOUR LETTER OR POSTCARD TO THE REFUGEES AT NONG KHAI AND MAIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
- TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO SEND LETTERS, TOO.
Send your letters to:
Hmong Refugees
Nong Khai Immigration, 106 MOO 7
Chalermphrakiat Road, tambon Meechai,
Amsur Mueng, Nong Khai 43000 Thailand
Sample Letter:
Dear Hmong Refugees, I send my love and support during this difficult time for you. Please know that we are watching and caring about what happens to you, and we will do what we can to help you. With much love Mary Smith
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thai and Lao governments continue to blatantly defy international refugee law
Thai and Lao governments continue to blatantly defy international refugee law
Both the Thai and Lao governments continue their farce by blanket-labeling all the Hmong population at Huay Nam Khao as "economic migrants". They continue to try and break their spirit by giving them no way out, using psychological torture against the group by denying them access to the media, human rights groups and the outside world. They tell them that they will all be sent back eventually if they do not "volunteer" to return now.The Thai military has claimed to have put these Hmong through a screening process to determine whether they are political refugees or economic migrants. Despite the cries of the UNHCR, diplomatic community, and human rights groups, no third party has been allowed access to observe this screening process.Just recently, on Sunday September 7, 2008, a source in the Thai military at Huay Nam Khao camp had informed some Hmong that during September-October there will be a change in guard at the camp. The newly assigned troops will come from Lop Buri and Petchabun provinces. The source went on to state that the Thai military would continue to repatriate only those Hmong who volunteered to return to Laos. But if by September 2009, there were any remaining Hmong refusing to return, then the Thai military would force them back and those Hmong would not receive any financial assistance from the Thai government.Coinciding with this news, during a September 6 Radio Free Asia broadcast, General Nipat Thonglek, the general in charge of Thai Border Affairs, announced that he would be traveling to Vientiane on September 8 to meet with his Lao counterpart General Bounsieng. He also stated that he would be paying a visit to the Hmong settlement at Pha Lak on September 11.Just days before General Thonglek’s announcement, Radio Free Asia had interviewed the former Vice-President of Huay Nam Khao camp Va Her Thao. Mr. Thao is a former CIA soldier who had participated in the June 20-22 protests outside Huay Nam Khao but had fled to the surrounding jungles when the Thai military began rounding up the group of protestors. The protest leaders who were captured by the Thai military at that time have not been heard from since but it is believed that they have since been deported to Laos. Relatives of theirs in Thailand, Laos and the US claim to have no word on what has become of these people. It seems that both the Thai and Lao authorities are cooperating closely by keeping a lid on this particular incident.Following the June 22 crackdown, some 600 Hmong have fled the Huay Nam Khao camp and are still at large. They fled due to fear of reprisals by Thai authorities and forced deportation to Laos.During Va Her Thao’s interview on RFA, he made some very strong accusations against the Thai government and their unfair treatment of the Hmong in Huay Nam Khao. To paraphrase from what Hmong refugees heard him say during the broadcast, he said that the Thai government has no justice and are searching for the Hmong refugee leaders like him. For over 4 years they have not allowed the UNHCR access to the Hmong in Huay Nam Nam Khao and that some Hmong refugees have already been sent back to Laos even though they face persecution from the Lao government. I suspect that General Thonglek’s announcement on RFA was in response to this peasant Hmong Robinhood who had the audacity to speak out against the Thai government and make them lose face. Hmong refugees in Huay Nam Khao camp have told me that due to Va Her Thao’s defiant broadcast over RFA the Thai military in Huay Nam Khao have been renewing their search for him questioning and interrogating those Hmong refugees who remain in the camp.Paving the way for General Thonglek’s upcoming visit to Pha Lak settlement, Lao officials have launched a cyber-campaign on Lao and Hmong newsgroups posting links to photos of the settlement taken by Lao officials during a recent visit. The photos and their accompanying captions attempt to portray happy Hmong returnees, along with a sympathetic Hmong American audience willing to donate money to assist the Lao government in the great job they are doing.One in particular, shows a smiling Hmong man holding up a sign in Lao language thanking Lao and Hmong newsgroup participants in cyberspace for sending $2000 which villagers used to buy livestock. The second photo link shows a group of four men who don't seem quite so thrilled holding the sign.http://www.flickr.com/photos/phalak1/2832554433/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phalak1/2832556053/
more:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phalak1/
It is important to note that the smiling man along with the majority of other Pha Lak residents are from the jungle group which photo-journalist Roger Arnold had visited back in 2006. To this day, over a year since the creation of this showpiece village, the Lao government continues to deny the diplomatic community, human rights monitors, or even ordinary Lao Hmong villagers free access to Pha Lak settlement. On the other hand, the Lao government continues to use cyberspace as a staging ground to show the world or Lao-Hmong American community what great "freedom of movement" these Pha Lak villagers have. Currently, the Lao government has jungle leader Blia Shoua Her's entire family held hostage in Pha Lak village, while he and 157 other UNHCR recognized Hmong refugees have already served nearly two years of what looks like a life sentence in a very cramped Nong Khai jail. How much longer can he and the others (including the 11 babies born there) hold on while they wait for the UNHCR and diplomatic community to come to their rescue?
Both the Thai and Lao governments continue their farce by blanket-labeling all the Hmong population at Huay Nam Khao as "economic migrants". They continue to try and break their spirit by giving them no way out, using psychological torture against the group by denying them access to the media, human rights groups and the outside world. They tell them that they will all be sent back eventually if they do not "volunteer" to return now.The Thai military has claimed to have put these Hmong through a screening process to determine whether they are political refugees or economic migrants. Despite the cries of the UNHCR, diplomatic community, and human rights groups, no third party has been allowed access to observe this screening process.Just recently, on Sunday September 7, 2008, a source in the Thai military at Huay Nam Khao camp had informed some Hmong that during September-October there will be a change in guard at the camp. The newly assigned troops will come from Lop Buri and Petchabun provinces. The source went on to state that the Thai military would continue to repatriate only those Hmong who volunteered to return to Laos. But if by September 2009, there were any remaining Hmong refusing to return, then the Thai military would force them back and those Hmong would not receive any financial assistance from the Thai government.Coinciding with this news, during a September 6 Radio Free Asia broadcast, General Nipat Thonglek, the general in charge of Thai Border Affairs, announced that he would be traveling to Vientiane on September 8 to meet with his Lao counterpart General Bounsieng. He also stated that he would be paying a visit to the Hmong settlement at Pha Lak on September 11.Just days before General Thonglek’s announcement, Radio Free Asia had interviewed the former Vice-President of Huay Nam Khao camp Va Her Thao. Mr. Thao is a former CIA soldier who had participated in the June 20-22 protests outside Huay Nam Khao but had fled to the surrounding jungles when the Thai military began rounding up the group of protestors. The protest leaders who were captured by the Thai military at that time have not been heard from since but it is believed that they have since been deported to Laos. Relatives of theirs in Thailand, Laos and the US claim to have no word on what has become of these people. It seems that both the Thai and Lao authorities are cooperating closely by keeping a lid on this particular incident.Following the June 22 crackdown, some 600 Hmong have fled the Huay Nam Khao camp and are still at large. They fled due to fear of reprisals by Thai authorities and forced deportation to Laos.During Va Her Thao’s interview on RFA, he made some very strong accusations against the Thai government and their unfair treatment of the Hmong in Huay Nam Khao. To paraphrase from what Hmong refugees heard him say during the broadcast, he said that the Thai government has no justice and are searching for the Hmong refugee leaders like him. For over 4 years they have not allowed the UNHCR access to the Hmong in Huay Nam Nam Khao and that some Hmong refugees have already been sent back to Laos even though they face persecution from the Lao government. I suspect that General Thonglek’s announcement on RFA was in response to this peasant Hmong Robinhood who had the audacity to speak out against the Thai government and make them lose face. Hmong refugees in Huay Nam Khao camp have told me that due to Va Her Thao’s defiant broadcast over RFA the Thai military in Huay Nam Khao have been renewing their search for him questioning and interrogating those Hmong refugees who remain in the camp.Paving the way for General Thonglek’s upcoming visit to Pha Lak settlement, Lao officials have launched a cyber-campaign on Lao and Hmong newsgroups posting links to photos of the settlement taken by Lao officials during a recent visit. The photos and their accompanying captions attempt to portray happy Hmong returnees, along with a sympathetic Hmong American audience willing to donate money to assist the Lao government in the great job they are doing.One in particular, shows a smiling Hmong man holding up a sign in Lao language thanking Lao and Hmong newsgroup participants in cyberspace for sending $2000 which villagers used to buy livestock. The second photo link shows a group of four men who don't seem quite so thrilled holding the sign.http://www.flickr.com/photos/phalak1/2832554433/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phalak1/2832556053/
more:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phalak1/
It is important to note that the smiling man along with the majority of other Pha Lak residents are from the jungle group which photo-journalist Roger Arnold had visited back in 2006. To this day, over a year since the creation of this showpiece village, the Lao government continues to deny the diplomatic community, human rights monitors, or even ordinary Lao Hmong villagers free access to Pha Lak settlement. On the other hand, the Lao government continues to use cyberspace as a staging ground to show the world or Lao-Hmong American community what great "freedom of movement" these Pha Lak villagers have. Currently, the Lao government has jungle leader Blia Shoua Her's entire family held hostage in Pha Lak village, while he and 157 other UNHCR recognized Hmong refugees have already served nearly two years of what looks like a life sentence in a very cramped Nong Khai jail. How much longer can he and the others (including the 11 babies born there) hold on while they wait for the UNHCR and diplomatic community to come to their rescue?
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