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Published on November 1, 2007

MSF believed that while some "refugees" were illegal migrants who came to Thailand for economic reasons, many had fled harsh treatment by Laos' communist government, MSF country director Gilles Isard said.

MSF staff at Phetchabun were "strongly convinced" many refugees were telling the truth and had been badly traumatised by persecution in Laos. Dozens had bullet or shrapnel wounds, and moves to return people had already caused suicide attempts and scenes of hysteria.

"We believe they are genuine refugees and should be entitled to proper protection," he said in press briefing. "If people are to be sent to Laos it should be on a voluntary basis. Don't send them back without any guarantee."

Thailand has sheltered the Hmong since late 1994 when members of the group claimed they were close associates of the US Central Intelligence Agency's secret fighters in the anti-communist war before the fall of Vientiane in 1975. Most have said they fled suppression at home.

Laos rejects the claim and Thailand regards them as normal illegal migrants. The two countries agreed in May to repatriate them by the end of next year.

MSF said Thailand must allow independent agencies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to screen the Hmong at Ban Huay Nam Khao in Phetchabun.

UNHCR had the ability to ensure fair and objective screening of the refugees, but Thai authorities had so far denied them access, the Frenchman said.

Thai officials have quietly sent hundreds of Hmong back to Laos over the past year.

Authorities claim they are screening ethnic Hmong, as some Thai-born and were "left over" after the closure of Saraburi's Tham Krabok camp in mid-2005. These people are now mixed with Hmong from Laos at Phetchabun.

However, Isard said the military had not yet conducted a screening process and the Hmong did not trust the Thai officials to do the job fairly.

Supalak G Khundee

 The Nation