On 19th February 2025, UNPO participated in a crucial UPR Info Pre-Session regarding Laos in Geneva, voicing concerns on behalf of the Hmong people. They spotlighted the severe human rights infractions faced by the Hmong, including persecution, land dispossession, and forced isolation, coupled with governmental inaction and growing international unease. Critical reforms are urged for Laos, such as recognising the Hmong as indigenous peoples, ceasing military violence, and granting international observers access to areas like the Phou Bia region.
Despite previous UN recommendations, Laos has disregarded its duty to protect the Hmong people, who live under constant threat from enforced disappearances and military repression. The government’s refusal to acknowledge the Hmong’s indigenous status strips them of crucial legal protections, further exposing them to human rights violations. An alarming incident in 2020 involving the disappearance of two children and their grandfather has drawn the attention of UN Special Rapporteurs, revealing potential torture and extrajudicial killing, evidencing the increasing dangers faced by the Hmong.
The continuous displacement of Hmong communities poses severe issues, exacerbated by the government’s negligence regarding previously recommended improvements in planning development projects. Forced relocations grind Hmong families into military-controlled villages rife with food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and minimal human rights, pushing them into an unending cycle of distress and dislocation. Fact-finding missions expose the dire circumstances, where families live in makeshift shelters under relentless military watch.
In the Xaisomboun Province, where a significant Hmong population resides, the government imposes heavy military oversight, leading to limited access to essential resources like food and healthcare. The isolation has resulted in rampant starvation and violence against the Hmong, with international observers barred from investigating the human rights crises prevalent in the area.
To combat these human rights atrocities, UNPO recommends that the Lao government immediately cease military violence against the ChaoFa communities, acknowledge the Hmong’s indigenous status, and establish protective legal frameworks. Further actions include ratifying key international treaties, safeguarding indigenous populations from land seizures, and allowing international access to Xaisomboun for humanitarian aid and investigations. All fundamental steps toward ensuring the safety and dignity of the Hmong people must be taken without delay.
At the UPR Info Pre-Session in Geneva on 19th February 2025, UNPO addressed serious human rights abuses against the Hmong people in Laos. Key issues highlighted included persecution, forced displacement, and enforced isolation under military control. Recommendations made included recognising the Hmong as indigenous peoples and allowing international observers access to critical regions, aiming for significant reforms to protect human rights in Laos.
In summary, the plight of the Hmong people in Laos demands urgent attention as reported by UNPO during the UPR Info Pre-Session in Geneva. The ongoing human rights violations—ranging from enforced disappearances to displacement—reflect the dire need for the Lao government to act swiftly and responsibly. By recognising the Hmong’s indigenous rights and allowing international access, Laos can begin addressing these urgent humanitarian issues and restore hope for the affected communities.
Original Source: unpo.org
