Voluntary repatriations (16/03/2005)

On Friday 11th March, the voluntary repatriation of Montagnards to Vietnam began with the return of 9 men, including one teenage boy. The group was taken to the Cambodian - Vietnamese border by officials of the Cambodian Government and UNHCR staff and handed over to the Vietnamese authorities. Two JRS staff also accompanied the group. This is the first group of voluntary returns since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Cambodia, the Government of Vietnam and UNHCR.

The returnees were due to travel to Ho Ci Minh City and before returning to their villages of origin. At the time of writing this report there was no confirmation that the group of 9 had arrived safely home.

In the MoU the Vietnamese Government has stated that the returnees will not be punished, discriminated and/or prosecuted for their departure.

The unconfirmed departure date for the next group of voluntary repatriations is the 17th March.