The situation of human rights in Laos, and more particularly the fate of the Lao-Hmong who are being hunted down in the Xaysomboun forests, was brought up for the first time within the hemicycle of the French National Assembly in the course of a questions to the government session on Tuesday 28 February 2006, upon the initiative of UMP Deputy Chantal BRUNEL.

The Lao Movement for Human Rights (LMHR) welcomes this initiative of Mrs Brunel, Deputy of the Seine-et-Marne department, who inquired after the fate of these thousands of Lao-Hmong men, women, children who are being "hunted down, assaulted, eliminated little by little in the Lao forests", and whose rights "have been trampled on for more than thirty years by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic". Her questions were addressed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The LMHR is glad that Mrs BRUNEL solemnly recalled the unanimous adoption, on 1st December 2005, of a European Parliament resolution which "condemns the violations of the freedoms and the rights of the Lao-Hmongs, and calls for democratic reforms in Laos and multiparty elections under international monitoring".

Moreover, it is with hope that the LMHR takes note of the declaration that the French Government made before the National Assembly. The French Government gave the assurance that "France maintains with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic an exacting dialogue on the situation of human rights and individual and collective freedoms", and "in this framework, particular attention is granted to the situation of the Hmong communities".

The LMHR is also pleased to hear from a French Minister that "France cannot and will not remain indifferent to the situation of this country", and that "on the French level, as well as on the European level, a constant watch is being operated on these issues, so as to constantly take into account the evolution of the situation on the field".

Knowing the dictatorial nature, the cynicism, and the usual set language of the leaders of the Lao Unique Party regime, the LMHR invites the French Members of Parliament to undertake other concrete initiatives, with the view of helping these populations before it is too late.

The Lao Movement for Human Rights once more calls on the LPDR to respect the fundamental rights of the Lao people, and to cease immediately the repression campaign led against these civilians, and begs France, the European Union, the United Nations, and the whole of the international community to act firmly, and without further delay to save the Lao-Hmongs of Xaysimboun, and so that freedom, democracy and human rights are respected in Laos.