Hmong await wolf in sheep’s clothing

Hmong await wolf in sheep’s clothing

Hmong refugees detained in northern Thailand’s Huay Nam Khao camp are awaiting Friday’s visit of a Lao government delegation led by Brigadier General Bouasieng Champaphanh, chairman of the Sub-committee on Lao-Thai Border Security.

The reported purpose of the General’s visit is a “sincere” gesture reaching out to the remaining 4700 Hmong refugees to return to Laos, telling them they have nothing to fear from the Lao government and that no one will be punished for any past misgivings.

Many of the camp’s residents who fled from Lao military attacks in the jungles are not so easily taken in by the General’s reassuring words, as they claim he has been the one behind the ongoing attacks which continue to this day. Refugees in Huay Nam Khao camp continue to hear word of small scale attacks taking place in the Phu Bia and Phu De Phao jungle areas as recently as late last month, in which several people were reportedly killed.

These sketchy reports are very difficult to independently verify as they take place in isolated jungle areas controlled by the Lao military. On the other hand, a significant portion of the Huay Nam Khao camp residents carry shrapnel and bullet scars on their bodies supporting their claims of military attacks.

Rather than have the Wolf look after the sheep, the Thai government should allow for an appropriate and transparent screening process to identify which Hmong detainees in Huay Nam Khao camp have legitimate protection concerns and not be forcibly repatriated to Laos.

Joe Davy
Hmong Advocate
Chicago

ENDS

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