[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 189 (Wednesday, November 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HMONG REFUGEES OF THAILAND

                                 ______


                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 29, 1995

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to submit for the record a letter 
I have sent to Secretary of State Christopher on behalf of the Hmong 
refugees in Thailand. Incidents of human rights abuses, forced 
repatriation, and retaliation upon their return to Laos continue to be 
reported. The Hmong community in Rhode Island remains very concerned 
about this situation, and I believe it is time we work to resolve it. I 
will be certain to submit for the record any response I receive from 
the State Department on this urgent matter:

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, November 28, 1995.
     Secretary Warren Christopher,
     Secretary of State, Department of State, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Secretary: I write to express my concern about the 
     status of Hmong combat veterans and refugees in Thailand.
       You may recall that I wrote last year regarding the plight 
     of the Hmong refugees. At that time, I was assured that 
     additional resources had been committed to UNHCR to provide 
     assistance to and monitor the safety of Hmong refugees, and 
     that the State Department was working with the Thai 
     government to resolve the question of repatriation to non-
     communist third countries. Thus, I have supported efforts to 
     maintain a fair and responsible U.S. refugee policy that 
     would prevent further persecution of Hmong refugees.
       However, I am distressed that this situation has not yet 
     been resolved. The Hmong people were our loyal allies and 
     have been a great asset to our nation. Yet, thousands of 
     Hmong remain in Thailand in refugee camps and continue to be 
     persecuted because of their relationship with the U.S. While 
     I recognize the difficulties in administering a refugee 
     program, cases of forced repatriation, disappearances, and 
     human rights abuses continue to be reported.
       I would sincerely appreciate an update on the current 
     status of the Hmong refugees. Specifically, I would like to 
     know: what progress has been made to resettle the remaining 
     Hmong combat veterans and refugees in safe, third countries; 
     what efforts are being made to assist and monitor the safety 
     and welfare of those refugees who have been voluntarily 
     repatriated; have all means of forced repatriation ceased; 
     are there currently immigration slots available for these 
     refugees to come to the United States; is the Thai government 
     cooperating with these efforts; and if not, what action will 
     the State Department take to help the remaining Hmong 
     refugees and ensure that they are not forcibly repatriated?
       This issue is of great importance to the Hmong community in 
     Rhode Island. Thank you in advance for your attention to this 
     urgent issue, and I look forward to your response.
           Sincerely,
                                                        Jack Reed,
     Member of Congress.

                          ____________________