Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the situation of Hmong refugees in Thailand

The European Union welcomes the fact that the Royal Thai Government has halted preparations to forcibly deport a group of 153 Hmongs to the Lao P.D.R on 30 January 2007. Most of those affected enjoy refugee status according to UNHCR procedures.

The European Union underlines that prior to 30 January 2007 several third countries had agreed to accept the 153 Hmongs for resettlement. It considers the deportation of recognized refugees to be a clear violation of the internationally accepted principle of non-refoulement and calls on the Royal Thai Government to cooperate with UNHCR and those countries willing to accept Hmongs for resettlement in the interests of finding of a humanitarian solution to the problem.

The European Union recognizes the difficult situation faced by the Kingdom of Thailand due to the large numbers of refugees on its territory. The European Union recalls that on several previous occasions the Royal Thai Government had expressed its determination to deal with the problem of refugees living in Thailand in accordance with humanitarian principles. The European Union encourages the Royal Thai Government not to deviate from those principles. In this context, the European Union urges the Royal Thai Government to treat the Hmong refugees detained at Nong Khai and elsewhere as well as those living in the Ban Huay Nam Khao provisional shelter near Petchabun in accordance with those principles.

Quelle: Europäische Union, CFSP Statements