Legislature OKs resolution urging protection of Hmong

Published 12:00 am PDT Friday, September 5, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A4

The Hmong Human Rights Resolution – asking the U.S. government to protect Hmong in Thailand and Laos from communist persecution – has unanimously passed the Legislature.

The non-binding measure, Assembly Joint Resolution 36, was written by Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento, and 23 other legislators. It has been forwarded to Congress and President Bush. It asks the U.S. government to "take appropriate measures to ensure that the Hmong living in Laos, Thailand and other countries are treated and respected as human beings."

Hmong living in Laos were subjected to human rights violations "simply because they were allies to the U.S. during the Vietnam War," Jones said. Fearing retribution, thousands fled to the jungles and live in hiding.

Jones' constituents include some 20,000 Hmong.

– Stephen Magagnini