Here’s the latest update of Briton’s case report by BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8080968.stm

I am trying to understand the point that you attempt to make in your post. It seems the certain injustice in Laos is rather blurred and expanded through time (past and present). So, I don’t understand whether you want us to be aware or concerned about the Hmong or the female ‘British citizen’ drug convict. These are two seperate issues that you can’t blurred them into one ‘human rights’ story of the present time. This is because at one point of our history heroin was ‘legal.’ At the same time, the Hmong were once lived in their own territory. Now that, the nation-state exists in people’s minds and reality as well as legal structures (e.g, illegalize heroin and other drugs). What was ‘right’ then could be ‘wrong’ now and depending where the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ is being judged and said.

I wish we all could live in peace under one set of rules and laws but the world has proved the other way with many sets of rules and laws. It is the case for many rich and powerful countries trying to dominate smaller and poorer countries, which are always less ‘developed.’ So, whose line is it by the end of the day? Your or my definition of human right should work better? The answer can involve endless debates till we do recognize the origins and roots of ‘rights.’ Whose term is it? Or who first introduced it to the rest of the world? Many people say the ‘west’ but how far ‘west’ and who are the ‘westerners’ with great influences to make us agree on the same ‘right’? What makes right ‘right’?

The injustice happens now in Laos, particularly the ‘no trial’ is more understandable than rest. I wish I could understand and see more points in your post.

All,

Jane Orobator, the mother of British national Samantha Orobator-Oghagbon who is in detention in Laos, visited her daughter for the second time earlier today in Laos. There has been speculation about some aspects of the case. Jane Orobator has asked the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to pass on the following statement on her behalf:

—BEGINS—

I am grateful to the Laos authorities for allowing me to visit my daughter. Samantha is looking well. She told me that she was not raped or sexually assaulted in prison and that the father of her unborn child is not a Lao prison official.

I hope that Samantha can now quickly have a fair trial and that she will be able to come home before too long.

—ENDS—

See also:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/20/laos-jail-woman-mother-denies-rape

Second, who is the father of her child? I imagine that a twenty year old farang would be quite appealing to the warden and guards. Was the sex consensual? Or was she raped? Is this going to come out?

As for the Hmong — both the Thai and the Lao Governments have a lot to answer for — they are systematically treating over 5000 people as no better than dogs. PM Abhisit’s human rights credential fail on this test. As for the Lao Government, it is little different from the SPDC in Burma when it comes to anyone it deems an opponent to the regime. Why is it treated better than Burma? Better tourism spots? Lao Beer? The fact that if a Lao Aung San Suu Kyi ever appeared, she would be sent to seminar in Attapeu, and never heard from again?

i strongly feel that the laos government still have animosity towards the hmong refugees for their involvement in the war, and it’s clear that today, these hmong people are living in fear of a government they cannot trust. both the laos government and the thai government, through this repratriate act has caused many hmong people to lose what little trust and faith they have left.

im not a perfect scholar, but i feel if these two countries encourage assimilating the hmong refugees into the society, and at the same time giving them security, this issue can slowly calm down. many people do not understand how it feels to live as a hmong person. no country to call their own, no government to call their own, just living day to day hoping they wont die.

i feel that with the level of politics that exists today, this issue can find a peaceful solution. if thai foreign prime minister kasit feels that there is no need to involve a third, i feel like there’s something that is being hidden, or something that they want to get over with quickly and quietly. if there is pure intention of finding these hmong refugees a home, then why not allow third parties to investigate and watch? both countries are capable of diplomatic solutions, but i honestly feel that grudges are often a part of the issue. historical animosity and misunderstanding also plays a role too i think.

both countries have great potential in being a leader and handling this issue accordingly with human rights groups, etc., i have relatives both in thailand and laos who live peacefully, so i dont understand why these refugees can not be given the same opportunity. or is it because they represent the remnants of a war and memories of a people that was abandoned?

i try to stay unbias on both sides. being a hmong person, i dont want to throw anger. i simply feel that if both countries do pure heartedly want to ‘help’ these refugees, they should do it so that the world does not question their actions and intentions.

these are just my thoughts. i would like to hear more opinions from fellow readers. thanks. take care