Laos to allow access to deported Hmong
![The Thai government defied global criticism last December when it used troops to repatriate about 4,500 Hmong from camps on the border with Laos. [Reuters]](http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200912/r491923_2557042.jpg "The Thai government defied global criticism last December when it used troops to repatriate about 4,500 Hmong from camps on the border with Laos. [Reuters]")
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The Thai government defied global criticism last December when it used troops to repatriate about 4,500 Hmong from camps on the border with Laos. [Reuters]
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The Laos government says it will give Thai and US officials access to thousands of ethnic Hmong who were expelled from Thailand.
Rights groups and foreign embassies have been seeking access to check they are being properly treated.
The Thai government defied global criticism last December when it used troops to repatriate about 4,500 Hmong from camps on the border with Laos, including 158 recognised as refugees by the United Nations.
Thailand and Laos both claim they were illegal economic immigrants, but the Hmong say they fear persecution in Laos for fighting with US forces in the Indo-China War.
Human rights groups expressed concern for their safety, but diplomats say there are no reports of mistreatment.
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