The Nation
After refusing to extradite a wanted fugitive back to Thailand, Hun Sen gladly sends asylum seekers back to China to face trial
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was quick to send back a group of 20 Uighur asylum seekers who have been staying in Cambodia waiting for the approval of the UN High Commission for Refugees. The Cambodian authorities said that they entered the country illegally, so they had to be deported back to China according to domestic laws. The United Nations, the United States, the European Union as well as international humanitarian organisations have urged the Cambodian government not to do so. Unfortunately, their plea fell on deaf ears - Hun Sen's.
It is hoped that Thailand will not embrace the selfishness and short-sightedness of Phnom Penh when it comes to the handling of Lao Hmong refugees. Many have been given the UN's People of Concern (POC) status because it is feared the Vientiane government will prosecute them if they are returned. Moreover, said one senior American official, there is growing concern in the US about the issue of forced repatriation of Lao Hmong refugees by the Thai government.
The US is also inquiring about 4,200 Lao Hmong in Petchabun living under the watchful eye of the military-run Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc), as well as 158 Hmong in Nong Khai with POC status.
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