Thai Authorities Repatriate More Hmong; Bangladesh Arrests More than 10,000; Khmer Rouge Leader Hospitalized

BANGKOK, Thailand – Thai authorities have repatriated approximately 56 Hmong refugees who had been living in the Ban Huay Nam Khao refugee camp, making the group the fifth to be sent back to Laos. Although many of the refugees claim they have fled Laos because of persecution, Thai authorities maintain that many are economic migrants searching for a better life.

The medical humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the only non-governmental group currently working in the camp, said some Hmong describe a life of persecution in Laos. According to MSF, the Hmong are“fleeing violent attacks and persecution, witnessing the murder of family members, suffering rape, surviving bullet and shrapnel wounds, and enduring malnutrition and disease.”

Hmong fleeing persecution are recognized as refugees in need of protection by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Australia, Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands have all offered to receive some refuges who are deemed to be genuine political asylum-seekers for resettlement.

The Hmong assert they are under persecution in Laos because they fought on the side of the pro-U.S. Laotian government in the 1960’s before the Communist takeover of Laos in 1975.

For more information, please see:

The Nation – UNHCR Seeks to Check on Hmong in Laos– 30 May 2008

Radio Free Asia– Thailand Sends Lao Hmong Home – 6 June 2008

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DHAKA, Bangladesh – Bangladesh’s army backed government arrested more than 10,000 persons ahead of elections. Bangladesh authorities maintain that the arrests are a “crusade against crime."

Human rights groups have denounced the arrests and political parties in Bangladesh argue that the arrests are an attempt to crackdown on political activity before elections. According to Human Rights Watch, many of the arrests were of low-level politicians and activists.

Police chief Nur Mohammad said that the anticrime drive was started to guard against “deteriorating” law and order, ensure a peaceful campaign season, and not to harass politicians.

The arrests began soon after the two political parties, Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, rejected talks with the government until their leaders were released from jail. Sheik Hasina Wazed, of the Awami League, and Khaleda Zia, of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, are both former prime ministers and are in jail on charges of corruption.

For more information, please see:

AP – US is Low Key about Bangladeshi Crackdown – 14 June 2008

NY Times – Nearly 12,000 Are Arrested in Bangladesh – 5 June 2008

Thaindian News – EU Forum Expresses Concern Over Bangladesh’s Human Rights Situation – 13 June 2008

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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Former Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan was taken to the hospital for high blood pressure, but has been released back into the custody of the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.

According to his wife and attorneys, Khieu Samphan’s condition has deteoriated since being in custody. His wife said, “His condition has become a little serious during the past few days. He can speak but not so clearly," she said by phone, adding he cannot get up from bed unassisted and can move his left arm and leg only slightly.” However, tribunal spokesman Peter Foster said Khieu Samphan “is not in critical condition.”

For more information, please see:

AP – Lawyer: Khmer Rouge Leader in Serious Condition – 3 June 2008

The Phnom Penh Post – Khmer Rouge Leader Khieu Samphan Out of Hospital, Back in Jail – 11 June 2008

USA Today – Ex-Khmer Rouge Official Rushed to Cambodian Hospital – 4 June 2008