Montagnards in Cambodia

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has concluded on the basis of March 21 and other incidents that, unfortunately, conditions that would allow for a satisfactory voluntary repatriation of the Montagnard population do not exist at this time.

In light of the urgent humanitarian needs of these asylum-seekers, the United States has formally offered resettlement in the United States to all among this group who qualify and wish to be resettled. We request that the Royal Government of Cambodia respond to this offer as quickly as possible.

We continue to support voluntary repatriation to Vietnam as one of several durable solutions for this population. In this case the solution should adhere to the core principle that all repatriations must be voluntary, based on credible, meaningful, pre- and post-repatriation inspections and counseling by the UN refugee agency. We urge Cambodian and Vietnamese authorities to work with the UN to establish a framework which would permit voluntary repatriation under these conditions. However, voluntary repatriation on these terms is not now available and we urge the Cambodian government to facilitate resettlement for those who seek it.