Ethnic Hmongs in Laos

 

            We would like to bring to your notice concerning the  so called  “ 27 ethnic Hmongs “ in Laos the following facts :

 

  1. The Government of Laos had never known this story until the US Ambassador in Laos informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos on 18 January 2006, that Thai authorities had arrested 27 ethnic Hmongs most of whom were children at Houaynamkhao Village, Khaokho District, Phetsaboun province, and allegedly deported them across the river border to Laos. But in fact the Lao authorities had never been informed by the Thais and the Thais also did not hand over those 27 Hmongs to the Lao authorities and the Laos authorities did not know about this story whether it is true or not. Therefore, it is evident that this case does not fall under the responsibility of the Lao Government because it did not take place in Laos. Apart from this, the Lao and Thai Government have had a joint border security cooperation mechanism, which believed that could have been used for such a purpose as to repatriate any alien to their home countries.
  2. However, in pursuing our humanitarian policy, the Government of Laos in response to the request of the US Ambassador, has instructed the local authorities in Bolikhamxay Province to carry out a careful check if those 27 Hmong children in question be found on the Lao soil. If they were found, the Lao government would of course have had sent them back to their respective families as soon as possible.
  3. If the story were true, the government of Laos would consider the forcing of these children away from their parents as a cruel and inhumane act.
  4. After having been informed by the US Ambassador, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited Ambassador of Thailand in Vientiane to the Ministry with a view to asking if he were in a position to provide detailed information on the matter, but the Thai Ambassador could not provide any detailed information, and up until now no detailed information has been provided.
  5. In conclusion, the Lao side did not create this story and therefore it could not in any way imply the responsibility of the Government of Laos. Despite that, it does give cooperation to the part of the US Embassy and international community in finding the children in question, thanks to its humanitarian policy. Therefore, the international community should appreciate such humanitarian approach to the matter of the Lao Government ( End )