June 9, 2007

 

Hmong Crisis in Huay Nam Khao, Thailand

 

 

Despite assurances to the international community reliable reports confirm 150 to 160 Hmong were forcefully removed from Huay Nam Khao late Friday night and returned to Laos. They arrived in Laos at 6:30 AM Saturday. Prior to the deportation sources in Huay Nam Khao reported beatings and the use of tear gas and stun guns by the Thai military. On Wednesday, June 06, 2007, Thai authorities insisted 39 Hmong refugees be fingerprinted and have their pictures taken without any clear reason to why this must be done. Fearing that if they were to be deported to Laos two Hmong men ended up taking poison in an attempt to commit suicide. They would rather die in Thailand than being tortured and killed by the hands of the Lao communist authorities. The two men are being treated and hospitalized in the local hospital. Lee Pao Vang is 37 years old and Wa Meng Lee is 35 years old. An unconfirmed report indicates one of the men died.

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