Hmong repatriates enjoy equality, said Lao Brigadier General

(KPL) All Hmong repatriates expressed their delights over their return to the motherland and a normal life in their homeland.



The statement was reported by Brigadier General Bouasieng Champaphanh, President of the Lao-Thai General Border Security-Order Sub-Committee, to Mr TJaco Vanden Hout, the Dutch ambassador to Laos at the Ministry of National Defence on 23 March.

The Dutch Ambassador expressed his wish to pay a visit to the repatriates who are now starting a new life in Phounkham village, Borikhanh district, Borikhamsay province.

Brig. Gen. Bouasieng said that the Lao government and the Lao People’s Army were all aware that some 7,000 illegal Hmong immigrants fleeing to Thailand were deceived to go there. They were lured with a hope for a better and happy life abroad.

In late 2009, these illegal immigrants, totalling 4,508, were repatriated under a bilateral agreement of the governments of Laos and Thailand.

Upon their return, some would like to settle down in their original hometowns. Finally they were sent to their destinations.

The rest have been sent to the development villages provided by the Lao government. These villages are supported by infrastructure for their new life, ranging from houses, water supply, farmland, health centres, to most importantly schools for their children. Up to now, they are now satisfied and quite convinced of their new life, said the Brigadier General.

Brig. Gen. Bouasieng claimed that these repatriates no longer wished to go to a third country. The wish was expressed when they were asked by local authorities.

Source: KPL Lao News Agency
March 26, 2010

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