Film proof of Hmong genocide, says activist
Connie Levett; 31/8/06; www.theage.com.au
New documentary evidence of genocide against the Hmong ethnic minority in Laos has been accepted by the United Nations, says a human rights activist who collated the information. Rebecca Sommer compiled the report, which was accepted by the UN in April. A rough cut of her documentary film Hunted Like Animals, with accounts by survivors of military attacks on the Hmong and shocking images of brutalised children, was to be screened for UN officials in Bangkok yesterday.
Ms Sommer said a meeting between the Thai Government, the Laos Government and UN officials had been called to discuss the issue.
The Laos Government has targeted the Hmong for more than 30 years because in the 1960s they fought with the CIA against the Communists.
Refugees from the conflict claim they have given up the fight and are simply trying to survive inside the Xaysomboun Special Zone, a mountainous area sealed off by the Laotian military.
The Laos Government denies the Hmong are persecuted. The problem has always been lack of evidence of alleged atrocities, Ms Sommer said.
In recent years, a US-based non-governmental organisation, the Fact Finding Commission, has smuggled in solar-panelled satellite phones and video cameras so the Hmong can report and record attacks.
Ms Sommer interviewed 1100 refugees who had fled to Thailand. “At the UN’s Department of Political Affairs, they have confirmed the US Government and the UN will no longer request more evidence … we know there is genocide going on against the Hmong in hiding,” she said.
The UN special adviser on the prevention of genocide, based in New York, could not be contacted for comment.
October 17th, 2006 at 5:43 am
is this right or wrong?
i don’t get it. why are the hmong’s being treated like
this.
October 18th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
The Hmong are being treated like this because even before the US went to war in Vietnam, they recruited the Hmong people of Loas in 1961 and began training them for a “Secret Army” under the directive of the US. When the US declared war against Vietnam, the Hmong were an integral part of the war. Because of Laos geographic location, the only way the Viet Cong were able to to get military resources to their army fighting in South Vietnam was to get supplies through the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The Ho Chi Minh trail was the main source of weapons and supplies from Communist China and Russia. The MAJOR US objective was to shut down this trail and intercept the supplies as much as possible.
Because of the Geneva Accord previously signed in 1954, the US was not allowed to have troops in Loas so the US went around the Geneva Accord of 1954 by training and having Hmong soldiers fight on their behalf but only as a Secret Army that the world did not know about at that time. It wasn’t until the last decade or so before anything was ever known about the US utilizing the CIA for this operation in recruiting and training Hmong.
The Hmong soldiers were able to intercept about half the supplies on the Ho Chi Minh trail. They also performed rescue missions for pilots shot down and provided much needed intelligence to the US in this war. When the United States pulled out, the Hmong were left defenseless. Eventhough the Loation Government/Monarchy knew at the time of the Hmongs involvement, they denied knowledge and pledged their alliance to the knew communist party in power. The Hmong were singled out as people who acted on their own and not only do they have the Viet Cong after them but now their new government against them.
Stats: The US lost approx. 57,000 soldiers in the Vietnam War. The Hmong lost 50,000 soldiers but millions of women, children, civilians and even today still lose more and THE US CONTINUES TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. They don’t even teach about the Hmong in their history classes.
K
October 18th, 2006 at 1:19 pm
CHEWY, anytime you have genocide, it’s wrong. No question about it.
March 25th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I recently watched some clips about this genocide of hmongs in loas on youtube.com and it left me in tears… I cannot believe that this is happening to our people. I was born here in the United States and have always wondered why my parents came here to the U.S. My parents never spoke about the war and if they did they would only say a couple of things… I felt like they did not want me to know what they had to go through while they were there. This is wrong and I want to help… My heart goes out to those suffering this horrible and inhumane treatment. This is really happening and I dont think that people are aware of this. Please lets find a solution to stop this killing of innocent people.My heart breaks to watch such cruelty that these people have to endure….
April 24th, 2007 at 1:07 am
I’ve recently learned about my own history. And it really frustrates me. I have to do something. If I don’t…who will? If you don’t, that’s one less person that can help.
This is wrong.
It’s so complicated but we must persevere or else…the government of Laos will succeed in what they want. They will get away with the genocide of a people.
April 29th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
our government will go to war over oil. but we wont step in when human beings are being brutally hunted like they’re big game? people are getting murdered, brutalize and yet the our government does nothing?
i know they’re not our people, but somebody has to stop this. its fucked up. i say fuck laos government….fuck everybody in laos army.
im one of the worst kinda people in the world maybe…did alot of shit im not proud of..did some fucked up shit i am proud of…but even i know when something is straight wrong. GENOCIDE IS PURELY EVIL. its wrong on so many levels.
June 13th, 2007 at 8:10 am
For many years I thought I had to endure a harsh new reality on the streets of America. I am so proud of the way my parents loved, protected and ensure my saftey by all means. I will never forget my people and what they did when the devil knocks. I will never think of my people without love and commitment. NEVER FORGET WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOUR PARENTS CAME FROM. My heart goes out and my voice shall repeat to all ears until they fall deaf to the evil word GENOCIDE.
September 14th, 2007 at 4:41 am
i am HMONG. and i happen to be very proud. i hate the fact that this country will fight for the dumbest and most ignorant things but when it comes down to genocide, murder, and just any vile thing, its like they will only support and care if it’s within THEIR borders, well we helped them when they needed it, so wth? this is retarded, i am mad, and disappointed of how low the world has become.
November 9th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
i was born here in the united state but i came from a traditional family that immigrate from loas to thailand and to the USA. my father was a soldier for General Vang Pao during the Veitnam War and he would tell us his experience throughout the war and that still today, there are many hmong families that still suffer because they were left behind after the last plane took off in 1975. General Vang Pao didn’t provide enough planes to save his people but he promised to his people that he’ll come and save them. that’s why many hmong people hide in the mountains away from the communist hoping and believing that general vang pao will come and save them! what they don’t realize is that it’s been 30 years and they’re still suffering. for those who surrender become communist citizen have a place to live and they don’t have to hide anymore and they won’t get hurt. for those who still believe in being save by general vang pao or refuse to become communis will have to keep on running for they’re lives. but man! what bugs me is that why do they (hmong hiders) still kept on having babies when they don’t even know when is their last day. i would feel guilty! i wish that all the suffering end today. the only way is for the hmong to become communis and citizen. i still have some cousins back there who suffered because they’re being stupid. they already surrender and agree to become a citizen but then they ran again to become hiders again. now they’re putting theirselves in danger again. general vang pao can’t do anything now! he has become us citizen and for which he have to obey the law! i wish the untied can end this genocide!
December 11th, 2007 at 4:55 am
Yeah, so the UN knows about the genocide, what are they doing about it? Exactly, nothing. No one ever does anything when it comes to genocide cases. All we can do is pray and hope a miracle happens. Come on, after 30+ years the problem is finally recognized; at the rate, after 30+ more years action MAY be taken. I hate to be the hopeless party pooper here, but truth hurts.
This genocide can’t be fought by emotions and words. Strong action is needed, hell what’s wrong with war with Laos? They are a weakass inhumane country.
I am glad to see that we do have some activist groups over here doing all they can to get their voices heard, to get the prisoned Hmongs in the jungle’s voices to be heard.
And a reply to the comment above, GVP can do even less now since he is labeled as a terrorist and thus, the Hmongs are now terrorists. Quite a shame.
February 21st, 2008 at 5:37 am
I am Hmong and it hurts me so bad to see what is happening to our hmong people as the united states sits there and watch’s our people get hunted like animals, ive signed so many petitions but none of them mean anything, brings tears to my eyes just to see how cruel of a world we live in
March 4th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I have seen so many videos, pictures and news/media about my people. I liked th brief history Kfang gave about U.S using their CIA organization to train Hmong people to become “guerrilla ” or soldiers for the U.S. Yet they were kept a “secret” for so long and are still not noted within the history text books. Yes, American history would use the argument of there is too much in American history to include onto the textbooks. But the Vietnam War is known far and wide yet there is not at least ONE DARN PARAGRAPH OR AT LEAST A PAGE DEDICATED TO THE HMONG PEOPLE.
It hurts and brings a lot of confusion when I see my people left behind in a genocide they do not deserve. I thank those who had the courage and are still fighting for the freedom of the Hmong people in the jungles or as they are known by the “cov fab”.
I was reading an article by a new york times journalist who went into the jungle the past year and he quoted from one of the elders something like ” If America cannot help us. Just drop a bomb on all of us and end our misery” And then the journalist ended with another guy who said ” I assume after you leave here you will try to help us. If you cannot, don’t be sad.”
These phrases just overwhelms you. It makes you pause to think about life in general and not to take anything for granted.
March 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I am concerned and alarmed by a report by Radio Free Asia (A Lao Language Radio Station broadcast via satellite to Southeast Asia, sponsored by US Government in Washington DC) on February 8th, 2008 that Laotian government rewards its troops who killed a Hmong six million kips (U.S. $600.00) and raise one rank higher per head to encourage Laotian soldiers for killing Hmong people, according to a military official who requested anonymity. Bang Kok Post reported in 2005 and 2006 that Thailand had arrested several Thai policemen who admitted taking payment from Lao PDR as high as $6,000.00 or 100,000 Bahts in Thai currency for assassination Hmong leaders. More than 10 Hmong leaders were being assassinated; including, Pakao Her, President of the Lao Hmong Federation, was assassinated on October 24, 2002. These state sponsored assassinations violates international laws because assassination denies due process of the laws to the target-victims. I ask that you help to voice and press the Lao PDR government to immediately stop its terrorist acts toward the Hmong.
Lao PDR is a state of denying: Even after seven credible and neutral westerner journalists visited the Hmong in the jungle of Laos to report human rights abuses, the Lao PDR government continues to deny its abusive policy toward the Hmong. Mr. Houa Ly of Appleton and Michael Vang of Fresno, California were kidnapped by Lao authority then transferred them across Mekong River to Laos back on April 19, 1999 and were never been returned. Lao PDR continues denying imprison the two Hmong Americans.
On August 25th, 2007, the Lao PDR has arrested three more Hmong American men; Hakit Yang, 29; Conghineng Yang, 31; and Trillion Yunhaison, 41. All were from St. Paul, Minnesota who legally entered Laos on VISAs for the purpose of investment in Laos; according with the NTR normalized Trade Relations the US granted to Laos in 2005 and the U.S. - Laos Bilateral Trade Agreement signed on September 18, 2003, in Vientiane, Laos. My friend Charles Lor of Eau Claire, Wisconsin was at the same hotel when more than 100 Communist soldiers, policemen and secret agents stormed, and surrounded it. They grabbed the three and drove them away in a military truck after finding them doing some music video taping. The three were arrested for failing to have proper permission to take video pictures in Laos, according to a relatives in Laos. Mr. Hakit Yang bought several acres of rubber trees in Laos and was planning to invest more in other businesses.
Kevin
April 9th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Truth is, people are in denial. If they were to publically announce the hmong genocide then it would mean that the Americans are at fault for recruiting the Hmong then abandoning them for years. Americans are barely learning about who the Hmong people are, where we’re from and other things. It’s probably take them another decade to fully realize what’s going on. There’s a lot of sick things in this world.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:16 am
I am Hmong and my father fought in the war and my mother dressed the wonds of many who were hurt in the war. I understand and feel the same emotions that everyone who has written a comment here feels. I agree that the UN need to take a look into saving the Hmongs because we had saved them when they were in need. Our people are suffering because of their plans during the Vietnam war. I applaud those who have not surrendered to the communist party because their belief of being saved not only by general vang pao but by the US, is the most pure dedication for their human rights. For those who surrendered so that they can no longer be killed by the communist party I have no hatred towards them because they did what they felt they needed to do to saved themselves from suffering. I am no one to judge them of their choices. In all means I would give what I have to to bring an end to it all. I am absolutely positive that the UN knows this is going on in Laos. I can understand to a certain extent why they do not act upon it. To shed some understanding on what I’m saying I’d like to point out that if the UN sent in an army for a mission to free the hmongs, we would have to go against vietnam, laos, and china. In history one should understand the relation between china and russia. There is the risk of having to fight with russia. With all these alliances between the countries the mission of saving the war may as well lead us into the next world war.
I don’t mean to step all over our hopes but I mean to shed some understanding of maybe why the UN has not stepped in to do anything. The next best thing is for us to come together with one voice to bring this out to the entire world for a better understanding of the hmongs’ situation. Along with that the least we can do is pray, because the Lord is almighty and He can do all things. So a little prayer never hurts anyone.
That is all that I wanted to say to just step outside the box and try to see the whole picture though fury grows in me to see my people hunted like animals, in order to make things happen we have to see the entire views and opinions of others.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Does anybody have any more information on this. I’m doing a project on this genocide. I need all the help I can get. If anybody does, please contact me at: oocherrysherryoo@aol.com. Thanks a lot.
May 16th, 2008 at 7:03 am
why are the hmong people treated like animals?? this is one serious question… why can’t the hmong people live like others???…my dad use to be a soldier for the vietnam war for General Vang Pao…my dad will tell us what have happen on his adventure…my mom…says that living in thailand is a dangerous place to live….my mom was in the war running for her life so she can come to America to be treated right….people being cut into peices and getting rape for there own eithicity….that is just messed up….why would any of the people do that to our people????…we have did nothing wrong to hurt them…they don’t need to hate because the hmong live on the mountains…we live for our own right and no one should try to destroy the hmong nationality…you just don’t know…but every one who is trying to get out of middle-east of asia…is hard….living in a place like thailand is just painful…everyday go to work…come home cook and clean…dont have time to rest at all…we shoould support the hmong…the one who have died for us…been murdered for us…we should give them peace and a good life for eternity….hope they live well in heaven…peace!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm
i think that the hmong are being ruined in loas… i say that we take action but the stupid UN don’t care bout sh**. man people these days are so self consious. i hope the loa government rotts in hell
i’m hmong too and my dad fought in the vietnam War. Peace to the Hmong in the jungles
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=Rebecca+Sommer&search_type= more on the hmong
September 4th, 2008 at 5:42 am
It’s hard just to see people sit back and act like they are taking action.
I’m in high school and it also hurts me too see our people suffering and
“chased down like animals.” Thats the phrase that we use because it is true. It’s not right, the UN has to take responsibility for what they created and left behind. Hmong people do matter. Are we being punished because we were allies of the US?? Is this what we gat for helping others???
Why do we teach little kids the same responsibilities when adults can’t even take action?
September 10th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I am also hmong and when i hear about these kind of things happening…i just want to break out in tears. I mean our people only get a right to stay in the US but no one is saving them. Why isnt our government stepping in to help what they promised to our people?