The fate of 8,000 Hmong refugees who fled Laos for Thailand is hanging
in the balance as the two countries wrap up talks on their future. An
ethnic minority in Laos, the Hmong fought with the US against communist
forces in the 1960s and 1970s, as the Vietnam War spilled over into the
region. After the US pulled out of the area in 1975, hundreds of
thousands of Hmong fled Laos as refugees. Almost 150,000 resettled in
the US and thousands have poured into Thailand.

Until recently, Thailand was a safe haven for Hmong refugees. The
country trained the Hmong to fight with US troops when the Vietnam War
spilled into Laos. But it appears to have had a change of heart. It now
labels them "illegal immigrants" and not refugees, and is refusing to
turn them over for resettlement despite offers from other countries.

Thailand is forging closer ties with Laos, and Thai authorities - who
recently agreed to return Hmong refugees - have deported scores,
ignoring calls from the UN to halt deportations until their claims for
refugee status are individually assessed.

Many Hmong say they fear they will be tortured in Laos for backing the
US against the communists who now rule the country.