We are dismayed and shocked by the deportation of more than 4,000 Lao-Hmong refugees from the refugee camp of Huay Nam Khao, in the province of Phetchaboon. They were sent back to Laos on December 28, 2009, shielded from all the international press to. This action by the Thai government was made to accommodate the wishes of the government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It represents a violation of international human rights by the government of Thailand while ignoring the calls of the United Nations, the EU and the international human rights organizations.

We deeply appreciate and endorse the pronouncements of the U.S. government and the Secretary-General of the United Nations criticizing the Thai government for its action against the Lao-Hmong.

With grave concern, we are keeping close attention on the situation, mindful of the harsh practices of the security system of the dictatorial Lao Communist Party in dealing with forced returnees.  We request that the government of the LaoPDR treat the forced Lao-Hmong returnees in a humanitarian way, ensure their well-being and respect their human rights. We specifically demand that the Lao PDR government immediately grant free access to the imprisoned returnees by the international humanitarian and human rights organizations.

We are maintaining constant working contact and intensifying our collaborative efforts with the international community to safeguard and protect the rights of the Lao-Hmong refugees, in particular the United Nations, the European Union and the donor agencies and countries on whom the Lao DPR government depends for monetary support.
 
President Alliance for Democracy in Laos
Dr.Bonthone Chanthalavong-Wiese