Hmong Stand For Justice

Hmong are an indigenous population found in the mountains of Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. They are most well-known for their involvement with the Secret War in Laos where many fought alongside the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1961 to 1975. Lead by General Vang Pao, Hmong soldiers helped rescue downed American pilots, protected American radar equipment, and prevented transportation of ammunition and man-power along the Ho Chi Min trail through Laos from North to South Vietnam and Cambodia during the Vietnam War.

In 1975, the U.S. pulled out of Vietnam and Laos. This left many Hmong to fend for their families and homelands, with the weapons left behind by the US government. With the fall of Long Cheng, in Laos, more than 250,000 Hmong fled the country and took refugee into Thailand, in the last 30 years. In taking plight, some refugees became Thai citizens, while others resettled to other countries like France, Canada, US, and Australia.

Currently, there is still 15,000 Hmong hiding in the jungles of Laos. This group has no access to the outside world. They continue to be sought after by the Laotian government for their direct involvement with the secret war.

In the last decade, 10,000 more were fortunate to escape from the jungles of Laos and are currently seeking asylum in Thailand, due to the continued human rights violations in Laos.