Hundreds of Hmong refugees at Ban Huay Nam Khao detention center in Thailand’s Phetchabun province had gathered at the entrance of detention to protest Thai army after they arrested Mr. Lee Sue, one of the Hmong refugee leaders there, last Friday.
Another Hmong refugee leader at Ban Huay Nam Khao said Thai authorities arrested Mr. Lee Sue because he tried to contact and give information regarding the situation at the center and the repression of Hmong in Laos to human rights organizations and international NGOs who support the Hmong refugees cause for refusing to go back to Laos.
Many Hmong refugees at Ban Huay Nam Khao are also on hunger strike to protest the planned deportation. More than 20 people has been hospitalized.
Thailand and Laos agreed to complete the repatriation of nearly 8,000 Lao Hmong refugees at Ban Huay Nam Khao detention center by the end of 2008.
Listen to our Laos Today report for more details.