The European Union is “dismayed” by Thailand’s decision to forcibly return thousands of ethnic Hmong aslyum seekers to Laos.
The EU also warns that the move could violate refugee law.
“The presidency of the European Union is deeply dismayed by the decision of the Royal Thai government to forcibly return a group of ethnic Hmong,” said a statement from Sweden, which holds the EU presidency until December 31.
“The presidency regrets that these deportations have taken place without giving the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees the prior possibility of determining the protection needs of these individuals through a meaningful screening process and of ensuring the voluntary nature of any repatriation.”
The EU “considers that their involuntary deportation by the Thai authorities would constitute a serious violation of the customary international law principle of non-refoulement of refugees,” the statement added.
