The Hmong people have been a member of the UNPO since 2007. 

The Hmong are an indigenous ethnic group spread across several countries in Southeast Asia, including Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Myanmar. 

The Hmong face significant challenges, particularly in Laos and Vietnam, where they are systematically excluded from political decision-making processes and subjected to discrimination and human rights abuses by the dominant governments. The authoritarian regimes in these countries stop Hmong from accessing processes of equal representation and free participation in democratic decision making processes. The Hmong people are often denied basic civil rights, including access to education, land, and political representation, which exacerbates their marginalization. 

The Hmong people’s struggle for self-determination is rooted in their desire to preserve their cultural identity, protect their ancestral lands, and secure their future against ongoing exploitation and repression. Respecting the right to self-determination for the Hmong is not just a matter of justice; it is essential for their survival as a distinct people. The economic exploitation of their lands, coupled with the systemic denial of their rights, has pushed the Hmong to the margins of society in Laos and other countries.

Supporting the Hmong’s right to self-determination would allow them to regain control over their land and resources, protect their cultural heritage, and ensure their participation in the political processes that affect their lives. It would also serve as a powerful affirmation of the principles of human rights and equality, challenging the authoritarian practices that have long suppressed their voice.

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the Hmong people as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from the Hmong. However, the main organization representing the rights of the Hmong people within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Congress of World Hmong People. You can read more about the Congress of World Hmong People here.

The Hmong people are an indigenous ethnic group with a rich cultural heritage, spread across Southeast Asia, including Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. Their distinct identity is marked by unique cultural practices, language, and religious beliefs that set them apart from the dominant populations in these countries. In Laos, where they are one of the largest ethnic minorities, the Hmong have traditionally lived in the mountainous northern regions, maintaining a close connection to their land and environment, which plays a central role in their cultural and social life.

The Hmong people have a long history of facing repression and human rights violations, particularly in Laos, where they have been subjected to systemic discrimination and violence by the ruling Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). This one-party regime maintains strict control over the country, suppressing any form of dissent and severely limiting civil liberties. The Hmong, as an ethnic minority, have been especially targeted, facing political persecution, arbitrary arrests, and forced disappearances. Their struggle is exacerbated by the government’s refusal to recognize their indigenous status, which denies them essential legal protections and access to basic services like education and healthcare.

The historical exploitation of Hmong land is deeply tied to the broader economic strategies of the Lao government. Large-scale development projects, including industrial plantations and hydro-power initiatives, have led to land grabbing and forced relocations, displacing Hmong communities and stripping them of their traditional livelihoods. These actions have not only impoverished the Hmong people but have also contributed to environmental degradation in their ancestral lands. The ongoing exploitation of natural resources, often under the guise of tourism development, continues to marginalize the Hmong, masking severe human rights abuses under economic progress narratives.

Today, the Hmong in Laos continue to face severe challenges. Despite their recognized presence, they are systematically excluded from political decision-making processes and are subjected to widespread discrimination. The authoritarian regime’s policies favoring large-scale economic projects have further marginalized the Hmong, resulting in land dispossession and increased poverty within their communities. The Hmong live in constant fear of persecution, with reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, and forced displacement remaining common.

Moreover, the Hmong’s lack of recognition as an indigenous people in Laos denies them access to crucial legal protections and resources. The Lao government’s development policies, which prioritize economic exploitation over human rights, have led to the continued degradation of Hmong lands and culture. International scrutiny and calls for action have had limited impact, with the Hmong people receiving little to no humanitarian assistance or legal recourse.