Acts of betrayal - persecution of Hmong

National Review, Oct 23, 1995 by Michael Johns

Additionally, UNHCR and Thai camp authorities have sought to silence Hmong who speak out against these conditions. Six Hmong camp leaders presented the Gilman - Hamilton delegation with a petition signed by thousands of fellow refugees contending that they were afraid to return to Laos, and that they were being persecuted by the UNHCR and the Thais. The six were promptly imprisoned by the Thai government.

Tim Bartl and Philip Smith demanded to see the six in December, and found them held in horrific conditions. Says Smith: "It was like nothing I've ever seen. Along with the six petition leaders, there were perhaps 25 other prisoners jammed in a 10-by-15-foot cell with no beds and almost no amenities. No one could survive in these conditions for long." But the American ambassador in Bangkok has refused to protest the imprisonment. Indeed, he has stated that the six will remain in detention until they agree to return to Laos.

Why are the Hmong being thus betrayed? Though they have suffered somewhat from the mounting anti-immigration sentiments in Washington, the answer also involves money. Because the UNHCR and related non-governmental organizations receive extensive financial support to repatriate refugees, their inclination is to return them to their hostile homeland rather than move them to the United States. And because Thailand seeks expanded trade with the Laotian regime, the Thais also have proved unsympathetic to the Hmong's plight.

American leadership will be needed to save the Hmong; encouragingly, there are now indications that this leadership is emerging. Standing before the Hmong conference in Menomonie, Rep. Gunderson promises the Hmong that he will fight the State Department's appeasement of the Lao regime and continue to spread the truth about the persecution of the Hmong. Says Gunderson: "I do not enjoy standing up and saying to my government that you are not telling the truth, but if that is necessary to defend truth and justice, I will do that."

Gunderson's promise brings the Hmong to a standing ovation. Even after their betrayal by the U.S. Government, the Hmong still see their salvation inextricably linked to American goodwill.