The Hague, 4 March 2008 - UNPO calls upon the new Thai government of Samak Sundaravej to immediately cease the forced deportations of Hmong refugees to the Laos People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) and to allow the return from LPDR of twelve Hmong refugees who were coercively repatriated on 27 February 2008.

UNPO also calls upon the LPDR to indicate the whereabouts of those Hmong refugees who are believed to have been jailed following their arrival in the LPDR, and free them if they have been detained.

As a result of population displacements in the wake of the Vietnam War, Hmong refugees face widespread political persecution in the LPDR.  Independent observers have been unable to enter the country and assess their situation, but reliable reports of illegal detention and mistreatment at ‘re-education’ centers are widespread.

Consequently UNPO questions the validity of claims that the refugees have been repatriated voluntarily.  Information received from organizations such as Doctors Without Borders indicates those repatriated have been separated from family members.  

In the wake of Thailand’s return to parliamentary democracy, UNPO urges the government to demonstrate its democratic credentials, adhere to the international principle of non-refoulement, and stop immediately the repatriation of Hmong refugees and to free those currently in detention who are protected by UNHCR refugee certificates.