Bangkok--Jul 1--MFA
With reference to the protests orchestrated by the Laotian Hmongs on 23 May 2008 and 20 June 2008 in Phetchabun Province and the return of approximately 863 Laotian Hmongs on 22 June 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state the following facts :
1. From the moment the Laotian Hmongs entered the Kingdom until today, Thailand has taken very good care of this group. This is clearly underscored by the fact that, although Thai law clearly and definitively classifies the Laotian Hmongs as illegal immigrants who must undergo the same treatment as other groups of illegal immigrants, the Thai Government has, instead, constructed a temporary shelter area for this group at Baan Huay Nam Khao to consider further how to deal with this group in the most humane manner possible.
2. We have established a screening mechanism specifically for this group; and although it is a domestic screening mechanism, the experience we drew from in establishing this mechanism was Thailand’s very own experience with the Myanmar caseload, which has direct UNHCR input and involvement. This process is still under way.
3. Although the Laotian Hmong group has been periodically informed of the developments pertaining to their future in this regard, some of them have on occasions reacted in a decidedly aggressive and uncooperative manner. For example, the recent incident on 23 May 2008 revealed that the Laotian Hmongs purposely instigated and escalated protests, not to mention burned their own homes to draw the attention of the international community at a specifically important juncture in time. The Thai officials directly in charge of this group exercised the utmost restraint during this and other occasions — which is a point that has been praised by many eyewitnesses as well as by many others on the outside. As a result of the professional and calm conduct on the Thai side, there have been no casualties nor any persons physically wounded from that and any other protest incident to date.
4. The Thai side does not prohibit peaceful protest nor are we against the peaceful expression of the wishes and requests of this group, but we insist that such actions must be carried out within the parameters of Thai law. Those who violate the law by destroying public property, disturbing the public at large or blocking roads, are liable to punishment under the law. Again, the Thai officials have done their best within the parameters of our laws, not to punish the Laotian Hmong protesters, even in cases where the law has clearly been violated, because of our understanding and appreciation of the sensitivities involved.
5. On 20 June 2008, a large number of Laotian Hmongs destroyed the fence encompassing their temporary shelter area and walked out in protest. The Thai officials, again, exercised the utmost restraint, and allowed the protesters to continue their walk.
6. After long hours of negotiations between the Laotian Hmongs and the Thai side (high ranking military officers and Petchaboon Province officials as well as Thai Hmongs) most Laotian Hmongs realized that there was no use to continue protesting. At that time, the Thai side offered the protesters to (1) return to the temporary shelter area without any form of punishment (2) return to Laos or (3) should they insist on continuing the protest and being a public nuisance, acquiesce to being arrested and repatriated in accordance with Thai immigration law. Approximately 863 Hmongs chose to return to Laos. The rest chose to return to the temporary shelter area.
Regarding the return of approx. 863 Laotian Hmongs on 22 June 2008
1. As a result, a large number of Laotian Hmongs — approximately 863 — were facilitated by the Thai side to return to Laos on 22 June 2008. These persons expressed the wish to return to Laos of their own accord after negotiations with the Thai officials proved that their demands could not be met. The Thai side thereafter facilitated their return in a dignified and humane manner.
2. The formal return ceremony was attended by Thai and Laotian media and the entire process was witnessed by Thai diplomatic officials who served as additional witnesses to the transparency and smooth conduct of the entire return process.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
With reference to the protests orchestrated by the Laotian Hmongs on 23 May 2008 and 20 June 2008 in Phetchabun Province and the return of approximately 863 Laotian Hmongs on 22 June 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to state the following facts :
1. From the moment the Laotian Hmongs entered the Kingdom until today, Thailand has taken very good care of this group. This is clearly underscored by the fact that, although Thai law clearly and definitively classifies the Laotian Hmongs as illegal immigrants who must undergo the same treatment as other groups of illegal immigrants, the Thai Government has, instead, constructed a temporary shelter area for this group at Baan Huay Nam Khao to consider further how to deal with this group in the most humane manner possible.
2. We have established a screening mechanism specifically for this group; and although it is a domestic screening mechanism, the experience we drew from in establishing this mechanism was Thailand’s very own experience with the Myanmar caseload, which has direct UNHCR input and involvement. This process is still under way.
3. Although the Laotian Hmong group has been periodically informed of the developments pertaining to their future in this regard, some of them have on occasions reacted in a decidedly aggressive and uncooperative manner. For example, the recent incident on 23 May 2008 revealed that the Laotian Hmongs purposely instigated and escalated protests, not to mention burned their own homes to draw the attention of the international community at a specifically important juncture in time. The Thai officials directly in charge of this group exercised the utmost restraint during this and other occasions — which is a point that has been praised by many eyewitnesses as well as by many others on the outside. As a result of the professional and calm conduct on the Thai side, there have been no casualties nor any persons physically wounded from that and any other protest incident to date.
4. The Thai side does not prohibit peaceful protest nor are we against the peaceful expression of the wishes and requests of this group, but we insist that such actions must be carried out within the parameters of Thai law. Those who violate the law by destroying public property, disturbing the public at large or blocking roads, are liable to punishment under the law. Again, the Thai officials have done their best within the parameters of our laws, not to punish the Laotian Hmong protesters, even in cases where the law has clearly been violated, because of our understanding and appreciation of the sensitivities involved.
5. On 20 June 2008, a large number of Laotian Hmongs destroyed the fence encompassing their temporary shelter area and walked out in protest. The Thai officials, again, exercised the utmost restraint, and allowed the protesters to continue their walk.
6. After long hours of negotiations between the Laotian Hmongs and the Thai side (high ranking military officers and Petchaboon Province officials as well as Thai Hmongs) most Laotian Hmongs realized that there was no use to continue protesting. At that time, the Thai side offered the protesters to (1) return to the temporary shelter area without any form of punishment (2) return to Laos or (3) should they insist on continuing the protest and being a public nuisance, acquiesce to being arrested and repatriated in accordance with Thai immigration law. Approximately 863 Hmongs chose to return to Laos. The rest chose to return to the temporary shelter area.
Regarding the return of approx. 863 Laotian Hmongs on 22 June 2008
1. As a result, a large number of Laotian Hmongs — approximately 863 — were facilitated by the Thai side to return to Laos on 22 June 2008. These persons expressed the wish to return to Laos of their own accord after negotiations with the Thai officials proved that their demands could not be met. The Thai side thereafter facilitated their return in a dignified and humane manner.
2. The formal return ceremony was attended by Thai and Laotian media and the entire process was witnessed by Thai diplomatic officials who served as additional witnesses to the transparency and smooth conduct of the entire return process.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-