ID :
96421
Wed, 12/23/2009 - 13:37
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http://m.oananews.org//node/96421
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PM asserts repatriation of ethnic Hmong to Laos being done under human rights principles
BANGKOK, Dec 23 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asserted Wednesday that the repatriation of ethnic Hmong to Laos would be carried out under human rights principles and legal procedures.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) earlier reported that rights groups and diplomats have expressed deep concern that Thailand will deport 4,000 ethnic Hmong held in the northeast to the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic, where they fear persecution, by the end of the year.
Mr Abhisit said that the National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday discussed the issue and affirmed that Thailand would do everything in accordance with the law and bear in mind the principles of human rights.
Thailand has repatriated 17 groups of Hmong to the Lao PDR and has so far returned 3,059 persons from the ethnic minority group to their homeland to date and, Mr Abhisit said, there was no confirmed case of human rights violations.
He said there was no critical conflict or any fighting in Laos that could affect the ethnic Hmong who were sent back and it is believed that the Lao government had allowed other countries to inspect the wellbeing of the returnees.
However, the number of ethnic Hmong to be sent back will be decided by the appropriate officials under normal procedures, he said, adding that there are now thousands of ethnic Hmong in Phetchabun and Nongkhai who are under the care of the Thai government.
The premier said Thailand has clear principles on the matter and would have no problem to clarifiy the issue to the international community.
Liselott Agerlid from the Swedish embassy, on behalf of the European Union, reportedly told AFP that diplomats in Bangkok on Tuesday met Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya to voice their concern about the imminent deportation of the Hmong.
Many men among the Hmong helped the United States as soldiers fighting against the communist Pathet Lao (Lao Peoples' Army) during the Indochina War in the 1960s and 1970s.
After the communist victory, many Hmong fled their places of birth and settled in the US and other western countries, while many remain in Thailand and are reluctant to return to their homeland for fear that the Lao government might persecute them.
During the meeting between Thai Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Douangchay Phichit at the 17th Meeting of the joint Sub-Committee for Cooperation on Security along the Thai-Lao border in Bangkok in September, Thailand affirmed that it will repatriate the remaining 4,505 ethnic Hmong to the neighbouring Lao PDR by the end of this year.
Thailand has allowed Lao officials to visit the Hmong camp in Petchabun province and explain to them its government policy to welcome back the Hmong to their birthplace.
Gen Douangchay said that the Lao government has facilitated the ethnic Hmong who returned to their land and provided them assistance to give them a better living.
The Lao deputy premier stated that there is no anti-government movement in Laos which is now peaceful and has political stability. (TNA)
Agence France-Presse (AFP) earlier reported that rights groups and diplomats have expressed deep concern that Thailand will deport 4,000 ethnic Hmong held in the northeast to the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic, where they fear persecution, by the end of the year.
Mr Abhisit said that the National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday discussed the issue and affirmed that Thailand would do everything in accordance with the law and bear in mind the principles of human rights.
Thailand has repatriated 17 groups of Hmong to the Lao PDR and has so far returned 3,059 persons from the ethnic minority group to their homeland to date and, Mr Abhisit said, there was no confirmed case of human rights violations.
He said there was no critical conflict or any fighting in Laos that could affect the ethnic Hmong who were sent back and it is believed that the Lao government had allowed other countries to inspect the wellbeing of the returnees.
However, the number of ethnic Hmong to be sent back will be decided by the appropriate officials under normal procedures, he said, adding that there are now thousands of ethnic Hmong in Phetchabun and Nongkhai who are under the care of the Thai government.
The premier said Thailand has clear principles on the matter and would have no problem to clarifiy the issue to the international community.
Liselott Agerlid from the Swedish embassy, on behalf of the European Union, reportedly told AFP that diplomats in Bangkok on Tuesday met Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya to voice their concern about the imminent deportation of the Hmong.
Many men among the Hmong helped the United States as soldiers fighting against the communist Pathet Lao (Lao Peoples' Army) during the Indochina War in the 1960s and 1970s.
After the communist victory, many Hmong fled their places of birth and settled in the US and other western countries, while many remain in Thailand and are reluctant to return to their homeland for fear that the Lao government might persecute them.
During the meeting between Thai Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Lt-Gen Douangchay Phichit at the 17th Meeting of the joint Sub-Committee for Cooperation on Security along the Thai-Lao border in Bangkok in September, Thailand affirmed that it will repatriate the remaining 4,505 ethnic Hmong to the neighbouring Lao PDR by the end of this year.
Thailand has allowed Lao officials to visit the Hmong camp in Petchabun province and explain to them its government policy to welcome back the Hmong to their birthplace.
Gen Douangchay said that the Lao government has facilitated the ethnic Hmong who returned to their land and provided them assistance to give them a better living.
The Lao deputy premier stated that there is no anti-government movement in Laos which is now peaceful and has political stability. (TNA)
