Thirty-one political refugees in Laos whom the Netherlands has granted asylum have gone missing. The 31 were among thousands of others whom Laos expelled to Thailand last month.

Thailand regards them as economic refugees but the group says it fears political persecution. The refugees are ethnic Hmong, who joined US troops against the communists during the Vietnam war. The foreign ministry in The Hague has for several weeks not been able to get in touch with the 31. The Hague has asked the government in Laos to explain their whereabouts.

Laos (Image: Wikipedia)