The Center for Public Policy Analysis: Difference between revisions
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'''The Centre for Public Policy Analysis''' (CPPA), or '''Center for Public Policy Analysis''', was established in [[Washington D.C.]] in 1988 and describes itself as a [[non-profit]] research organization focused on foreign policy, national security, refugee and international humanitarian issues ( http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org ). |
'''The Centre for Public Policy Analysis''' (CPPA), or '''Center for Public Policy Analysis''', was established in [[Washington D.C.]] in 1988 and describes itself as a [[non-profit]] research organization focused on foreign policy, national security, refugee and international humanitarian issues ( http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org ).<ref>http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org</ref> |
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The CPPA focuses on key domestic and international public policy issues, including those in the United States, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. It has frequently raised concerns about international security, counter-terrorism, civil society, the environment, international trade and tariffs, press and internet freedom, human rights, and religious freedom issues, including the plight of political asylum seekers and refugees, in Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia. |
The CPPA focuses on key domestic and international public policy issues, including those in the United States, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. It has frequently raised concerns about international security, counter-terrorism, civil society, the environment, international trade and tariffs, press and internet freedom, human rights, and religious freedom issues, including the plight of political asylum seekers and refugees, in Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia.<ref>Minneapolis Star Tribune ( 26 June 2011) "A New Era of Abuse in Southeast Asia" , http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/124518218.html</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand,( January 29, 2011), "Mubarak Urged to Halt Attacks on Journalists" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1101/S00553/mubarak-urged-to-halt-attacks-on-journalists-internet.htm</ref><ref>" The Salt Lake Tribune ( 3 February 2011), "Once a Foe of Sadam, Iraqi Cab Driver Now Branded Terrorist" http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51177038-76/alshamsawi-immigration-lake-refugees.html.csp</ref><ref>Gannett News, Green Bay Press Gazette, (29 December 2009)"Area Hmong worried for relatives overseas: |
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Refugees moved from Thai camp rumored to be beaten, seriously hurt" http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091230/GPG0101/102120013/Area-Hmong-worried-relatives-overseas</ref> |
Refugees moved from Thai camp rumored to be beaten, seriously hurt" http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091230/GPG0101/102120013/Area-Hmong-worried-relatives-overseas</ref> |
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The CPPA researches and writes about press and internet freedom, and the persecution of journalists, in the Philippines and elsewhere.<ref>ABS-CBNnews.com, (11 February |
The CPPA researches and writes about press and internet freedom, and the persecution of journalists, in the Philippines and elsewhere.<ref>ABS-CBNnews.com, (11 February 2011), Manila, Philippines, http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/11/11/us-think-tank-massacre-victims-kin-need-counseling</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (11 February 2011) "Philippines Urged To Assist Families of Slain Journalists: Philippines Urged To Assist Families of Slain Journalists During Trial" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1102/S00381/philippines-urged-to-assist-families-of-slain-journalists.htm</ref> |
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Concerned about environmental issues, the CPPA has raised awareness about illegal logging, and environmental degradation, in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and elsewhere.<ref>Asia Times, Hong Kong, atimes.com, ( 5 October 2010) "A Tree Falls in Laos" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LJ05Ae01.html</ref> |
Concerned about environmental issues, the CPPA has raised awareness about illegal logging, and environmental degradation, in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and elsewhere.<ref>Asia Times, Hong Kong, atimes.com, ( 5 October 2010) "A Tree Falls in Laos" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LJ05Ae01.html</ref> |
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The Centre for Public Policy Analysis also focuses on economic, political, human rights, religious freedom and humanitarian issues in Indochina. The organization is described as an "outspoken supporter" and human rights proponent for ethnic, minority Laotian and [[Hmong people |
The Centre for Public Policy Analysis also focuses on economic, political, human rights, religious freedom and humanitarian issues in Indochina. The organization is described as an "outspoken supporter" and human rights proponent for ethnic, minority Laotian and [[Hmong people]] in [[Laos]] and [[Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/235516/vietnam-troops-use-force-at-rare-hmong-protest|publisher=Bangkok Post|date=5 May 2011|title=Vietnam troops 'use force' at rare Hmong protest}}</ref><ref>Gannett News, Green Bay Press Gazette, (29 December 2009)"Area Hmong worried for relatives overseas: Refugees moved from Thai camp rumored to be beaten, seriously hurt" http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091230/GPG0101/102120013/Area-Hmong-worried-relatives-overseas</ref><ref>Asia Times, Hong Kong, atimes.com, ( 5 October 2010), Beaumont Smith, "A Tree Falls in Laos" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LJ05Ae01.html</ref> |
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From 1998-2013, the CPPA in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, in the U.S. Congress, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, business leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress, political and religious dissidents and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region.<ref> |
From 1998-2013, the CPPA in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, in the U.S. Congress, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, business leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress, political and religious dissidents and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region.<ref>U.S. Congressional Record (24 October 2002)Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 139, U.S. Government Printing Office, The Honorable Patrick Kennedy "COMMENDING THE LAO AND HMONG-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.." http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2002-10-24/html/CREC-2002-10-24-pt1-PgE1958-2.htm</ref><ref>PR LOG, www.prlog.org, (29 August 2007) "Laos, Thailand Crisis: US Congressional Forum To Discuss Legislative Action on Lao, Hmong Refugees" http://www.prlog.org/10028864-laos-thailand-crisis-us-congressional-forum-to-discuss-legislative-action-on-lao-hmong-refugees.html</ref> |
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The CPPA says it conducts public policy events and briefings in the [[US Congress]] and Washington DC on a range of public affairs issues. It says it organizes research and fact-finding missions in the United States and abroad with US policymakers to gain first-hand information about key issues, developments and events.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cppa-dc.org/id49.html| publisher=The Centre for Public Policy Analysis |accessdate=23 August 2011|title=About us}}</ref> |
The CPPA says it conducts public policy events and briefings in the [[US Congress]] and Washington DC on a range of public affairs issues. It says it organizes research and fact-finding missions in the United States and abroad with US policymakers to gain first-hand information about key issues, developments and events.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cppa-dc.org/id49.html| publisher=The Centre for Public Policy Analysis |accessdate=23 August 2011|title=About us}}</ref> |
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The CPPA also researches military and national security history issues regarding World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War ( First and Second Indochina Wars), the first and second Gulf War ( U.S. Iraq War) and the "War on Terrorism," (both before and after the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001). |
The CPPA also researches military and national security history issues regarding World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War ( First and Second Indochina Wars), the first and second Gulf War ( U.S. Iraq War) and the "War on Terrorism," (both before and after the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001).<ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, ( 4 July 2011) "Canada National Day, Royals' Visit, Commemorated" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1107/S00071/canada-national-day-royals-visit-commemorated.htm</ref> The CPPA is concerned about the plight of veterans, including minority veterans, of these conflicts, and is active in policy research and debate on key issues.<ref>The Business Journal, California, (8 February 2013), "Murkowski, Costa introduce Lao and Hmong veterans bill" http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/government-and-politics/4920-murkowski-costa-introduce-lao-and-hmong-veterans-bill</ref> |
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⚫ | From 1993-2013, the Centre for Public Policy Analysis has taken a leadership role in organizing major national veterans' recognition ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Congress, especially to honor Laotian and Hmong veterans, and their American advisers, who served in the clandestine theater of the Royal Kingdom Laos during the Vietnam War. |
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⚫ | The CPPA also works to honor Vietnam War veterans of the First and Second Indochina War who served in Vietnam, the Kingdom of Laos, Cambodia and The Kingdom of Thailand, including American, South Vietnamese, Royal Laotian, Cambodian and French military and clandestine veterans. |
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⚫ | From 1993-2013, the Centre for Public Policy Analysis has taken a leadership role in organizing major national veterans' recognition ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Congress, especially to honor Laotian and Hmong veterans, and their American advisers, who served in the clandestine theater of the Royal Kingdom Laos during the Vietnam War.<ref>BUSINESS WIRE, businesswire.com , Washington, D.C., (12 May 2013) "Laos, Hmong Veterans of Vietnam War Honored At National Ceremonies" http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130512005048/en/Laos-Hmong-Veterans-Vietnam-War-Honored-National</ref> |
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⚫ | The CPPA also works to honor Vietnam War veterans of the First and Second Indochina War who served in Vietnam, the Kingdom of Laos, Cambodia and The Kingdom of Thailand, including American, South Vietnamese, Royal Laotian, Cambodian and French military and clandestine veterans.<ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (14 December 2011), Robert Jambon: A Bold Life & Death For Laos and Hmong" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1112/S00467/robert-jambon-a-bold-life-death-for-laos-and-hmong.htm</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (24 December 2011), "Laos, Vietnam Human Rights Defender Mourned At Arlington" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1112/S00752/laos-vietnam-human-rights-defender-mourned-at-arlington.htm</ref> |
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==Press & Internet Freedom== |
==Press & Internet Freedom== |
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The CPPA researches and writes about press and internet freedom in the Philippines, Egypt and elsewhere. |
The CPPA researches and writes about press and internet freedom in the Philippines, Egypt and elsewhere.<ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand,( January 29, 2011), "Mubarak Urged to Halt Attacks on Journalists" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1101/S00553/mubarak-urged-to-halt-attacks-on-journalists-internet.htm</ref><ref>ABS-CBNnews.com, (11 February 2011), Manila, Philippines, http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/11/11/us-think-tank-massacre-victims-kin-need-counseling</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (11 February 2011) "Philippines Urged To Assist Families of Slain Journalists: Philippines Urged To Assist Families of Slain Journalists During Trial" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1102/S00381/philippines-urged-to-assist-families-of-slain-journalists.htm</ref> |
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==The Persecution and Murder of Journalists in the Philippines== |
==The Persecution and Murder of Journalists in the Philippines== |
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The Centre for Public Policy Analysis has repeatedly raised concerns about the plight of journalists in the Philippines and press and internet freedom violations. The intimidation, persecution and killing of journalists in Mindanao and the restive Southern areas of the Philippines have been give special attention by the CPPA in recent years.<ref>ABS-CBNnews.com, (11 February |
The Centre for Public Policy Analysis has repeatedly raised concerns about the plight of journalists in the Philippines and press and internet freedom violations. The intimidation, persecution and killing of journalists in Mindanao and the restive Southern areas of the Philippines have been give special attention by the CPPA in recent years.<ref>ABS-CBNnews.com, (11 February 2011), Manila, Philippines, http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/11/11/us-think-tank-massacre-victims-kin-need-counseling</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (11 February 2011) "Philippines Urged To Assist Families of Slain Journalists: Philippines Urged To Assist Families of Slain Journalists During Trial" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1102/S00381/philippines-urged-to-assist-families-of-slain-journalists.htm</ref> |
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==Illegal Logging, De-Forrestation and Environmental Degradation in Southeast Asia== |
==Illegal Logging, De-Forrestation and Environmental Degradation in Southeast Asia== |
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The upswing in illegal logging in Southeast Asia has caused concern in many quarters about environmental destruction and human rights violations against minority jungle-dwelling peoples. The CPPA conducts extensive research regarding ongoing illegal logging in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia. |
The upswing in illegal logging in Southeast Asia has caused concern in many quarters about environmental destruction and human rights violations against minority jungle-dwelling peoples. The CPPA conducts extensive research regarding ongoing illegal logging in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia.<ref>Asia Times, Hong Kong, atimes.com, ( 5 October 2010) "A Tree Falls in Laos" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/LJ05Ae01.html</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand (17 March 2011) "Laos Groups Issue Appeal Before Communist Party Congress" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1103/S00611/laos-groups-issue-appeal-before-communist-party-congress.htm</ref> |
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⚫ | The role of Vietnam People's Army (VPA) in illegal logging in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), Laos, continues to be documented by the CPPA and other human rights and environmental advocates. |
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⚫ | The role of Vietnam People's Army (VPA) in illegal logging in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), Laos, continues to be documented by the CPPA and other human rights and environmental advocates.<ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, ( 16 November 2011) "United League Issues Human Rights Appeal - Laos, Vietnam" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1111/S00456/united-league-issues-human-rights-appeal-laos-vietnam.htm</ref> |
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==U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos== |
==U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos== |
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From 1998-2013, the CPPA in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, in the U.S. Congress, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, business leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress, political and religious dissidents and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region.<ref> |
From 1998-2013, the CPPA in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, in the U.S. Congress, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, business leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress, political and religious dissidents and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region.<ref>U.S. Congressional Record (24 October 2002)Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 139, U.S. Government Printing Office, The Honorable Patrick Kennedy "COMMENDING THE LAO AND HMONG-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.." http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2002-10-24/html/CREC-2002-10-24-pt1-PgE1958-2.htm</ref><ref>PR LOG, www.prlog.org, (29 August 2007) "Laos, Thailand Crisis: US Congressional Forum To Discuss Legislative Action on Lao, Hmong Refugees" http://www.prlog.org/10028864-laos-thailand-crisis-us-congressional-forum-to-discuss-legislative-action-on-lao-hmong-refugees.html</ref> |
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==Laos: The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (LPDR) & the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos == |
==Laos: The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (LPDR) & the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos == |
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From 1998-2013, The Centre for Public Policy Analysis in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations, human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region. |
From 1998-2013, The Centre for Public Policy Analysis in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations, human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region. |
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⚫ | The CPPA is concerned about reports by Amnesty International, independent journalists and others regarding brutal and deadly attacks by the Lao Peoples Army (LPA), and Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) against Lao and Hmong civilians, and political and religious dissident groups, in Laos.<ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (15 January 2009) "Hmong Civilians Suffer Attacks, Atrocities in Laos" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00347.htm</ref><ref>BUSINESS WIRE, businesswire.com, (4 March 2013) "Laos: Attacks Intensify Against Lao, Hmong People" http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130304006755/en/Laos-Attacks-Intensify-Lao-Hmong-People</ref> |
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⚫ | The CPPA is concerned about reports by Amnesty International, independent journalists and others regarding brutal and deadly attacks by the Lao Peoples Army (LPA), and Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) against Lao and Hmong civilians, and political and religious dissident groups, in Laos. |
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The CPPA accused Laos and Vietnamese troops of killing four Christian Hmong women in [[Xiangkhouang Province]], Laos in 2011. CPPA executive director Philip Smith said Laotian and Vietnamese forces were hunting down Christian and [[animist]] believers.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/laos-vietnam-troops-kill-hmong-christians/story-e6freuyi-1226040033388|author=The Telegraph|date=16 April 2011|title=Laos, Vietnam troops kill Hmong Christians}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_657442.html|author=The Straits Times|date=16 April 2011|title=Laos, Vietnam troops kill four Hmong Christians: NGO}}</ref> |
The CPPA accused Laos and Vietnamese troops of killing four Christian Hmong women in [[Xiangkhouang Province]], Laos in 2011. CPPA executive director Philip Smith said Laotian and Vietnamese forces were hunting down Christian and [[animist]] believers.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/laos-vietnam-troops-kill-hmong-christians/story-e6freuyi-1226040033388|author=The Telegraph|date=16 April 2011|title=Laos, Vietnam troops kill Hmong Christians}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_657442.html|author=The Straits Times|date=16 April 2011|title=Laos, Vietnam troops kill four Hmong Christians: NGO}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The organization also campaigns for the release of three Hmong American men, from St. Paul, Minnesota, including Mr. Hakit Yang, it said in April 2011 had been falsely imprisoned for four years.<ref>{ <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Laos+Communique+Urges+Release+of+Jailed+Americans%2c+Dissidents%2c+Hmong...-a0232797867">Laos Communique Urges Release of Jailed Americans, Dissidents, Hmong Refugees.</a>{{cite web| url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/04/21/hmong-americans-held-in-laos/|author=Minnesota Public Radio|date=21 April 2011|title=St. Paul families plea for release of relatives held in Laos}}</ref> In Washington, D.C., the CPPA organized international events urging the release of the three Hmong American men from St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. International human rights advocate and former political prisoner Kay Danes served as one of the key note speakers along with Hmong-American advocate Sheng Xiong, wife of Hakit Yang.<ref>BUSINESS WIRE, businesswire.com (23 April 2011), "Laos, Obama Urged By Rights Groups, Hmong, to Free 3 Americans" http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110423005016/en/Laos-Obama-Urged-Rights-Groups-Hmong-Free</ref> The three Hmong-American citizens include Mr. Hakit Yang, Mr. Congshineng Yang, and Mr. Trillion Yunhaison. The three are still missing in Laos, according to their families and human rights advocates. |
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⚫ | In addition to the three Hmong-Americans, Laos security forces continue to harshly imprison, without charge, political and religious dissidents and they have isolated thousands of ethnic Hmong refugees forced back by the military of Thailand and Laos, according to an international joint communique released by the CPPA and others.<ref>Business Wire, businesswire.com (19 July 2010) "Laos Communique Urges Release of Jailed Americans, Dissidents, Hmong Refugees" <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Laos+Communique+Urges+Release+of+Jailed+Americans%2c+Dissidents%2c+Hmong...-a0232797867">Laos Communique Urges Release of Jailed Americans, Dissidents, Hmong Refugees.</a></ref><ref>Business Wire, www.businesswire.com, (8 December 2009) "Laos, Hmong Refugee Crisis: Thailand's PM Abhisit, Anupong Should Stop Forced Returns." <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Laos%2c+Hmong+Refugee+Crisis%3a+Thailand%27s+PM+Abhisit%2c+Anupong+Should...-a0213797815">Laos, Hmong Refugee Crisis: Thailand's PM Abhisit, Anupong Should Stop Forced Returns.</a></ref> |
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⚫ | The CPPA has raised concerns about egregious human rights violations in Laos by the Lao military and has been critical of granting Most Favored Trade Status (MFN), or Normalized Trade Status (NTR), to the communist regime in Laos, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. It has also criticized efforts to remove Laos from the trade "blacklist" while it engaged in military attacks against Laotian and Hmong political and religious dissidents, and unarmed Laotian and Hmong civilians.<ref>Agence France Press, AFP, & Asia One News, www.asiaone.com, (13 June 2009) "US removes Laos, Cambodia from trade blacklist" http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Story/A1Story20090613-148206.html</ref><ref>BUSINESS WIRE, businesswire.com, (4 March 2013) "Laos: Attacks Intensify Against Lao, Hmong People" http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130304006755/en/Laos-Attacks-Intensify-Lao-Hmong-People</ref> |
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⚫ | The organization also campaigns for the release of three Hmong American men, from St. Paul, Minnesota, including Mr. Hakit Yang, it said in April 2011 had been falsely imprisoned for four years.<ref>{ <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Laos+Communique+Urges+Release+of+Jailed+Americans%2c+Dissidents%2c+Hmong...-a0232797867">Laos Communique Urges Release of Jailed Americans, Dissidents, Hmong Refugees.</a>{cite web| url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/04/21/hmong-americans-held-in-laos/|author=Minnesota Public Radio|date=21 April 2011|title=St. Paul families plea for release of relatives held in Laos}}</ref> In Washington, D.C., the CPPA organized international events urging the release of the three Hmong American men from St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. International human rights advocate and former political prisoner Kay Danes served as one of the key note speakers along with Hmong-American advocate Sheng Xiong, wife of Hakit Yang. |
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⚫ | In addition to the three Hmong-Americans, Laos security forces continue to harshly imprison, without charge, political and religious dissidents and they have isolated thousands of ethnic Hmong refugees forced back by the military of Thailand and Laos, according to an international joint communique released by the CPPA and others. |
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⚫ | The CPPA has raised concerns about egregious human rights violations in Laos by the Lao military and has been critical of granting Most Favored Trade Status (MFN), or Normalized Trade Status (NTR), to the communist regime in Laos, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. It has also criticized efforts to remove Laos from the trade "blacklist" while it engaged in military attacks against Laotian and Hmong political and religious dissidents, and unarmed Laotian and Hmong civilians. |
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==Foreign Political Prisoners: Kerry and Kay Danes Arrested, Imprisoned and Tortured in Laos== |
==Foreign Political Prisoners: Kerry and Kay Danes Arrested, Imprisoned and Tortured in Laos== |
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On 23 December 2000, just prior to Christmas [[Kerry and Kay Danes]] were arrested by Lao security forces and unjustly imprisoned under harsh conditions and [[torture]]d in [[Phonthong Prison]] in [[Vientiane]] by the Lao government while seeking to facilitate major foreign business investment in Laos, according to the Government of [[Australia]] who came to their assistance. Following their release from the Lao government, Kay Danes and here husband were invited to testified in Washington,D.C., and the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, and at policy events on current policy issues in Laos, including [[human rights]] violations, [[torture]], [[religious persecution]] and other issues.<ref>Kay Danes, www.kaydanes.com</ref> |
On 23 December 2000, just prior to Christmas [[Kerry and Kay Danes]] were arrested by Lao security forces and unjustly imprisoned under harsh conditions and [[torture]]d in [[Phonthong Prison]] in [[Vientiane]] by the Lao government while seeking to facilitate major foreign business investment in Laos, according to the Government of [[Australia]] who came to their assistance. Following their release from the Lao government, Kay Danes and here husband were invited to testified in Washington,D.C., and the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, and at policy events on current policy issues in Laos, including [[human rights]] violations, [[torture]], [[religious persecution]] and other issues.<ref>Kay Danes, www.kaydanes.com</ref> |
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Kay Danes was repeatedly invited to testify at the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, along with T.Kumar of [[Amnesty International]], and Members of Congress, including U.S. Congressman [[Frank Wolf]], U.S. Congressman [[Patrick Kennedy]], foreign policy experts, including Philip Smith of the CPPA and others, where Mrs. Danes shared crucial information about [[human rights]] violations. She also testified about the arrest and disappearance of three [[Hmong-American]]s from [[St. Paul]], [[Minnesota]], who were arrested in Laos by the Lao People's Army (LPA) and detained, tortured, and disappeared in Laos' notorious [[Phonthong Prison]] in [[Vientiane]] at the hands of Laos' security forces. |
Kay Danes was repeatedly invited to testify at the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, along with T.Kumar of [[Amnesty International]], and Members of Congress, including U.S. Congressman [[Frank Wolf (politician)|Frank Wolf]], U.S. Congressman [[Patrick Kennedy]], foreign policy experts, including Philip Smith of the CPPA and others, where Mrs. Danes shared crucial information about [[human rights]] violations. She also testified about the arrest and disappearance of three [[Hmong-American]]s from [[St. Paul]], [[Minnesota]], who were arrested in Laos by the Lao People's Army (LPA) and detained, tortured, and disappeared in Laos' notorious [[Phonthong Prison]] in [[Vientiane]] at the hands of Laos' security forces.<ref>Politics and Government Week, Washington, D.C. (12 May 2011) "Laos, Obama Urged By Rights Groups, Hmong, to Free 3 Americans" http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-255856858.html</ref> This is the same prison where Kay Danes and her husband had previously been detained under harsh and deplorable conditions, and tortured, several years prior in Laos under extremely harsh conditions along with other foreign prisoners. Mrs. Sheng Xiong a Hmong-American human rights advocate, also testified with Kay Danes about the arrest, imprisonment and torture of the three Hmong-Americans. These three Hmong-Americans, Mr. Hakit Yang, Mr. Congshineng Yang, and Mr. Trillion Yunhaison, are still missing in Laos, following their arrest and imprisonment by the Lao People's Army and Lao military and security forces.<ref>Xiong, Chao, Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Waiting, `not knowing if they are even alive'; Wives, children and a mother lingered at the airport see 3 St. Paul men thought to be imprisoned in Laos"http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-168640538.html</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (22 April 2011), "Laos: Appeal for Release of 3 Hmong-Americans " http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1104/S00536/laos-appeal-for-release-of-3-hmong-americans.htm</ref> |
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==Thailand & Opposition to the Forced Repatriation of Laotian, Hmong, Burmese and Indochinese Refugees and Asylum Seekers== |
==Thailand & Opposition to the Forced Repatriation of Laotian, Hmong, Burmese and Indochinese Refugees and Asylum Seekers== |
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The CPPA has a long and successful track-record of work with Indochinese refugees and asylum seekers in Southeast Asia. |
The CPPA has a long and successful track-record of work with Indochinese refugees and asylum seekers in Southeast Asia. |
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It played a leading role regarding the plight of Lao Hmong refugees and asylum seekers who sought refugee in camps along the Mekong River and Thai-Lao border, [[Wat Tham Krabok]] and the camps and detention center at Ban Huay Nam Khao, "White Water, Petchabun Province, Thailand. |
It played a leading role regarding the plight of Lao Hmong refugees and asylum seekers who sought refugee in camps along the Mekong River and Thai-Lao border, [[Wat Tham Krabok]] and the camps and detention center at Ban Huay Nam Khao, "White Water, Petchabun Province, Thailand. |
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⚫ | From 1989-2013, Philip Smith and the CPPA were involved in major efforts to halt, stop, and reverse the forced repatriation of tens of thousands of Laotian and Hmong political refugees and asylum seekers in Southeast Asia, and were successful in having tens of thousands granted political asylum in the United States and in other third countries, including Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. The CPPA also played a major international role in raising human rights concerns about the thousands of Lao Hmong refugees that were forcibly repatriated from these camp in Thailand back to the communist regime in Laos that they fled. |
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⚫ | From 1989-2013, Philip Smith and the CPPA were involved in major efforts to halt, stop, and reverse the forced repatriation of tens of thousands of Laotian and Hmong political refugees and asylum seekers in Southeast Asia, and were successful in having tens of thousands granted political asylum in the United States and in other third countries, including Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. The CPPA also played a major international role in raising human rights concerns about the thousands of Lao Hmong refugees that were forcibly repatriated from these camp in Thailand back to the communist regime in Laos that they fled.<ref>Asia Times, atimes.com, (13 June 2008), "The Wrong Way to End A Secret War" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/JF13Ae01.html</ref><ref>Agence France Press (AFP), (22 May 2009), "Hmong Lobby U.S. For Emergency Aid in Thailand", <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hmong+lobby+US+for+emergency+aid+in+Thailand-a01611877732">Hmong lobby US for emergency aid in Thailand</a></ref><ref>BUSINESS WIRE, businesswire.com, (3 December 2009)"Thailand's Hmong, Laos Refugee Crisis: Abhisit Vejjajiva, Secretary Clinton Urged to End Repatriation" <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Thailand%27s+Hmong%2c+Laos+Refugee+Crisis%3a+Abhisit+Vejjajiva%2c+Secretary...-a0213398726">Thailand's Hmong, Laos Refugee Crisis: Abhisit Vejjajiva, Secretary Clinton Urged to End Repatriation.</a></ref><ref>Business Wire, businesswire.com (19 July 2010) "Laos Communique Urges Release of Jailed Americans, Dissidents, Hmong Refugees" <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Laos+Communique+Urges+Release+of+Jailed+Americans%2c+Dissidents%2c+Hmong...-a0232797867">Laos Communique Urges Release of Jailed Americans, Dissidents, Hmong Refugees.</a></ref><ref>Business Wire, www.businesswire.com, (8 December 2009) "Laos, Hmong Refugee Crisis: Thailand's PM Abhisit, Anupong Should Stop Forced Returns." <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Laos%2c+Hmong+Refugee+Crisis%3a+Thailand%27s+PM+Abhisit%2c+Anupong+Should...-a0213797815">Laos, Hmong Refugee Crisis: Thailand's PM Abhisit, Anupong Should Stop Forced Returns.</a></ref><ref>Agence France Press (AFP), (12 January 2010) "US lawmakers see no ill-treatment of Hmong" <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/US+lawmakers+see+no+ill-treatment+of+Hmong-a01612117823">US lawmakers see no ill-treatment of Hmong</a></ref> |
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==Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) & VPA Military Attacks, Religious Persecution Directed Against Viet Hmong Protestors in 2011 == |
==Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) & VPA Military Attacks, Religious Persecution Directed Against Viet Hmong Protestors in 2011 == |
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The CPPA said that Vietnamese troops had killed 28 Hmong protesters, during one period, in Dien Bien Phu area, with hundreds more missing, following multi-day protests in Vietnam near the Laos border in 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-06/u-s-probes-reports-of-deaths-after-hmong-protests-in-vietnam.html|author=Bloomberg|date=6 May 2011|title=Protests in Vietnam}}</ref> |
The CPPA said that Vietnamese troops had killed 28 Hmong protesters, during one period, in Dien Bien Phu area, with hundreds more missing, following multi-day protests in Vietnam near the Laos border in 2011.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-06/u-s-probes-reports-of-deaths-after-hmong-protests-in-vietnam.html|author=Bloomberg|date=6 May 2011|title=Protests in Vietnam}}</ref><ref>America: National Catholic Review (Magazine) (23 May 2011) "Dozens Reported Killed in Hmong Protest" http://americamagazine.org/issue/777/signs/dozens-reported-killed-hmong-protest</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, ( 10 May 2011) "Vietnam: 14 Die as Troops Converge On Hmong" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1105/S00181/vietnam-14-die-as-troops-converge-on-hmong.htm</ref> |
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The CPPA and others claim more Vietnamese Hmong were killed, wounded, or "disappeared" by Vietnamese and Laotian security forces during the long anti-government protest which involved issues of religious freedom, religious freedom violations, land reform, illegal logging, and concerns about government corruption. |
The CPPA and others claim more Vietnamese Hmong were killed, wounded, or "disappeared" by Vietnamese and Laotian security forces during the long anti-government protest which involved issues of religious freedom, religious freedom violations, land reform, illegal logging, and concerns about government corruption.<ref>UCA News, ucanews.com, (9 May 2011) "Christians killed in Dien Bien Phu protests" http://www.ucanews.com/news/christians-killed-in-dien-bien-phu-protests/15807</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (7 May 2011) "Vietnam Crackdown: More Hmong Killed As Army Deploys" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1105/S00147/vietnam-crackdown-more-hmong-killed-as-army-deploys.htm</ref> |
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According to the CPPA and others, many of the peaceful protestors involved in the protests who were arrested, disappeared or killed were Hmong Catholics and Christians. |
According to the CPPA and others, many of the peaceful protestors involved in the protests who were arrested, disappeared or killed were Hmong Catholics and Christians.<ref>Thomson Reuters News, (6 May 2011) "Rare rally tests Vietnam's religious tolerance" http://www.trust.org/item/?map=rare-rally-tests-vietnams-religious-tolerance</ref> |
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The Vietnamese government, The Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), acknowledged there had been clashes but denied anyone had been killed.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1637440.php/Ethnic-Hmong-hold-mass-protest-in-Vietnam|author=Deutsche Press Agency|date=6 May 2011|title=Ethnic Hmong hold mass protest in Vietnam}}</ref> |
The Vietnamese government, The Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), acknowledged there had been clashes but denied anyone had been killed.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1637440.php/Ethnic-Hmong-hold-mass-protest-in-Vietnam|author=Deutsche Press Agency|date=6 May 2011|title=Ethnic Hmong hold mass protest in Vietnam}}</ref> |
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Independent journalists and human rights organizations raised serious concerns. The SRV sealed of the area to journalists during the military crackdown against the Vietnamese Hmong protesters in Dien Bien Province area which involved the deployment of Vietnam People's Army (VPA) troops and helicopter gunships. |
Independent journalists and human rights organizations raised serious concerns. The SRV sealed of the area to journalists during the military crackdown against the Vietnamese Hmong protesters in Dien Bien Province area which involved the deployment of Vietnam People's Army (VPA) troops and helicopter gunships.<ref>Human Rights Watch (17 May 2011) "Vietnam: Investigate Crackdown on Hmong Unrest" http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/05/17/vietnam-investigate-crackdown-hmong-unrest</ref><ref>Radio Free Asia (RFA) ( 15 March 2012) "Rights Groups Slam Hmong Conviction" http://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/hmong-03152012144659.html</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (21 May 2011)"Vietnam, Laos: Attack Helicopters Unleashed Death on Hmong"http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1105/S00509/vietnam-laos-attack-helicopters-unleashed-death-on-hmong.htm</ref> |
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The SRV sentenced a number of the Vietnamese Hmong protestors to prison sentences, which was criticized by human rights organizations and experts. |
The SRV sentenced a number of the Vietnamese Hmong protestors to prison sentences, which was criticized by human rights organizations and experts.<ref>Radio Free Asia (RFA) ( 15 March 2012) "Rights Groups Slam Hmong Conviction" http://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/hmong-03152012144659.html</ref><ref>BBC News ( 6 May 2011 ) "Vietnam 'seals ethnic Hmong protest site'" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13306362</ref><ref>Radio Free Asia (RFA) ( 15 March 2012) "Rights Groups Slam Hmong Conviction" http://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/hmong-03152012144659.html</ref> |
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== Military and National Security History Research & Veterans Memorial Ceremonies== |
== Military and National Security History Research & Veterans Memorial Ceremonies== |
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The Centre for Public Policy Analysis has taken a leadership role in organizing major national veterans' recognition ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Congress, especially to honor Laotian and Hmong veterans, and their American advisers, who served in the clandestine theater of the Royal Kingdom Laos during the Vietnam War. |
The Centre for Public Policy Analysis has taken a leadership role in organizing major national veterans' recognition ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Congress, especially to honor Laotian and Hmong veterans, and their American advisers, who served in the clandestine theater of the Royal Kingdom Laos during the Vietnam War.<ref>BUSINESS WIRE, businesswire.com , Washington, D.C., (12 May 2013) "Laos, Hmong Veterans of Vietnam War Honored At National Ceremonies" http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130512005048/en/Laos-Hmong-Veterans-Vietnam-War-Honored-National</ref> |
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⚫ | The CPPA works with major veterans organizations, including the Lao Veterans of America, Inc. the Lao Veterans of America Institute, the U.S. Special Forces Association, and others, to seek to honor Lao and Hmong veterans who served in the "U.S. Secret Army" in Laos during the Vietnam War. |
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⚫ | The CPPA works with major veterans organizations, including the Lao Veterans of America, Inc. the Lao Veterans of America Institute, the U.S. Special Forces Association, and others, to seek to honor Lao and Hmong veterans who served in the "U.S. Secret Army" in Laos during the Vietnam War.<ref>Lao Veterans of America, Inc. http://www.laoveteransofamerica.org</ref><ref>http://www.laoveterans.org</ref> In May 1997, the CPPA worked with these organization to help dedicate the Laos and Hmong Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery [[Laos Memorial]]. |
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⚫ | The CPPA's Philip Smith has commented publicly, on a number of occasions, about U.S. intelligence community figures, and operations, including Vietnam and Cold War era figures and activities, from both Democratic and Republican Administrations, including William Colby, Tony Poe, Lawrence Devlin and others. |
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⚫ | <ref>Erhlich, Richard, Asia Times,Hong Kong, atimes.com, (8 July 2003)"Death of a dirty fighter" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/EG08Ae02.html</ref> |
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⚫ | The CPPA's Philip Smith has commented publicly, on a number of occasions, about U.S. intelligence community figures, and operations, including Vietnam and Cold War era figures and activities, from both Democratic and Republican Administrations, including William Colby, Tony Poe, Lawrence Devlin and others.<ref>Washington Times, (8 May 1996) "Refugees from Laos mourn a friend, Colby: Tribe worked closely with ex-CIA leader" http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=sea</ref> |
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⚫ | The CPPA also works to honor Vietnam War veterans of the First and Second Indochina War who served in Vietnam, the Kingdom of Laos, Cambodia and The Kingdom of Thailand, including American, South Vietnamese, Royal Laotian, Cambodian and French military and clandestine veterans. |
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⚫ | <ref>Erhlich, Richard, Asia Times,Hong Kong, atimes.com, (8 July 2003)"Death of a dirty fighter" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/EG08Ae02.html</ref><ref>Erhlich, Richard, Bangkok Post, www.bangkokpost.com , (7 July 2003), "OBITUARY / TONY POSHEPNY (POE) - CIA operative stood out in `secret war' in Laos" http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/942811/posts</ref> |
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⚫ | The CPPA also works to honor Vietnam War veterans of the First and Second Indochina War who served in Vietnam, the Kingdom of Laos, Cambodia and The Kingdom of Thailand, including American, South Vietnamese, Royal Laotian, Cambodian and French military and clandestine veterans.<ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (14 December 2011), Robert Jambon: A Bold Life & Death For Laos and Hmong" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1112/S00467/robert-jambon-a-bold-life-death-for-laos-and-hmong.htm</ref><ref>Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (24 December 2011), "Laos, Vietnam Human Rights Defender Mourned At Arlington" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1112/S00752/laos-vietnam-human-rights-defender-mourned-at-arlington.htm</ref> |
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In 2011, the CPPA campaigned for former Hmong leader and [[Royal Lao Army]] [[Lieutenant General]] [[Vang Pao]] to be given a memorial service in [[Arlington Cemetery]] after US authorities refused to grant him the right to be buried there. Pao was arrested in the US in 2007 on charges of plotting to overthrow the one-party, communist Laos' Government, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (LPDR); The charges against General Vang Pao were later dropped. |
In 2011, the CPPA campaigned for former Hmong leader and [[Royal Lao Army]] [[Lieutenant General]] [[Vang Pao]] to be given a memorial service in [[Arlington Cemetery]] after US authorities refused to grant him the right to be buried there. Pao was arrested in the US in 2007 on charges of plotting to overthrow the one-party, communist Laos' Government, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (LPDR); The charges against General Vang Pao were later dropped.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/World/Story/A1Story20110513-278644.html/|author=Asia One News|date=13 May 2011|title=Vietnam vet to get US honors after burial snub}}</ref> The CPPA's Executive Director, Philip Smith, wrote an editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune outlining Vang Pao's contribution to U.S. national security interests during the Vietnam War following the Lao-Hmong leaders death in 2011.<ref>Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota ( 7 March 2011), "Vang Pao Burial Decision A Disgrace: Lao Hmong veterans who fought in America's covert war should be fully honored" http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/117551498.html</ref> |
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The CPPA's Philip Smith persisted in his efforts, and the CPPA, along with the Lao Veterans of America, Inc., and others helped to organize national veterans ceremonies in May |
The CPPA's Philip Smith persisted in his efforts, and the CPPA, along with the Lao Veterans of America, Inc., and others helped to organize national veterans ceremonies in May 2011 to officially honor Vang Pao at Arlington National Cemetery <ref>Agence France Press (AFP) & Asia One News, (13 May 2011) "Vietnam vet to get US honors after burial snub" http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20110513-278644.html</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 06:58, 1 August 2013
The Centre for Public Policy Analysis (CPPA), or Center for Public Policy Analysis, was established in Washington D.C. in 1988 and describes itself as a non-profit research organization focused on foreign policy, national security, refugee and international humanitarian issues ( http://www.centerforpublicpolicyanalysis.org ).[1]
The CPPA focuses on key domestic and international public policy issues, including those in the United States, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. It has frequently raised concerns about international security, counter-terrorism, civil society, the environment, international trade and tariffs, press and internet freedom, human rights, and religious freedom issues, including the plight of political asylum seekers and refugees, in Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia.[2][3][4][5]
The CPPA researches and writes about press and internet freedom, and the persecution of journalists, in the Philippines and elsewhere.[6][7]
Concerned about environmental issues, the CPPA has raised awareness about illegal logging, and environmental degradation, in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and elsewhere.[8]
The Centre for Public Policy Analysis also focuses on economic, political, human rights, religious freedom and humanitarian issues in Indochina. The organization is described as an "outspoken supporter" and human rights proponent for ethnic, minority Laotian and Hmong people in Laos and Vietnam.[9][10][11]
From 1998-2013, the CPPA in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, in the U.S. Congress, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, business leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress, political and religious dissidents and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region.[12][13]
The CPPA says it conducts public policy events and briefings in the US Congress and Washington DC on a range of public affairs issues. It says it organizes research and fact-finding missions in the United States and abroad with US policymakers to gain first-hand information about key issues, developments and events.[14]
The CPPA also researches military and national security history issues regarding World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War ( First and Second Indochina Wars), the first and second Gulf War ( U.S. Iraq War) and the "War on Terrorism," (both before and after the terrorist attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001).[15] The CPPA is concerned about the plight of veterans, including minority veterans, of these conflicts, and is active in policy research and debate on key issues.[16]
From 1993-2013, the Centre for Public Policy Analysis has taken a leadership role in organizing major national veterans' recognition ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Congress, especially to honor Laotian and Hmong veterans, and their American advisers, who served in the clandestine theater of the Royal Kingdom Laos during the Vietnam War.[17]
The CPPA also works to honor Vietnam War veterans of the First and Second Indochina War who served in Vietnam, the Kingdom of Laos, Cambodia and The Kingdom of Thailand, including American, South Vietnamese, Royal Laotian, Cambodian and French military and clandestine veterans.[18][19]
Press & Internet Freedom
The CPPA researches and writes about press and internet freedom in the Philippines, Egypt and elsewhere.[20][21][22]
The Persecution and Murder of Journalists in the Philippines
The Centre for Public Policy Analysis has repeatedly raised concerns about the plight of journalists in the Philippines and press and internet freedom violations. The intimidation, persecution and killing of journalists in Mindanao and the restive Southern areas of the Philippines have been give special attention by the CPPA in recent years.[23][24]
Illegal Logging, De-Forrestation and Environmental Degradation in Southeast Asia
The upswing in illegal logging in Southeast Asia has caused concern in many quarters about environmental destruction and human rights violations against minority jungle-dwelling peoples. The CPPA conducts extensive research regarding ongoing illegal logging in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia.[25][26]
The role of Vietnam People's Army (VPA) in illegal logging in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), Laos, continues to be documented by the CPPA and other human rights and environmental advocates.[27]
U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos
From 1998-2013, the CPPA in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, in the U.S. Congress, in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, business leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress, political and religious dissidents and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region.[28][29]
Laos: The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (LPDR) & the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos
From 1998-2013, The Centre for Public Policy Analysis in cooperation with Members of the U.S. Congress has hosted the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos brings together policy experts, diplomats, non-governmental organizations, human rights and environmental groups, community leaders, Members of the U.S. Congress and others to discuss current issues of concern regarding the nation of Laos and the region.
The CPPA is concerned about reports by Amnesty International, independent journalists and others regarding brutal and deadly attacks by the Lao Peoples Army (LPA), and Vietnam Peoples Army (VPA) against Lao and Hmong civilians, and political and religious dissident groups, in Laos.[30][31]
The CPPA accused Laos and Vietnamese troops of killing four Christian Hmong women in Xiangkhouang Province, Laos in 2011. CPPA executive director Philip Smith said Laotian and Vietnamese forces were hunting down Christian and animist believers.[32][33]
The organization also campaigns for the release of three Hmong American men, from St. Paul, Minnesota, including Mr. Hakit Yang, it said in April 2011 had been falsely imprisoned for four years.[34] In Washington, D.C., the CPPA organized international events urging the release of the three Hmong American men from St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. International human rights advocate and former political prisoner Kay Danes served as one of the key note speakers along with Hmong-American advocate Sheng Xiong, wife of Hakit Yang.[35] The three Hmong-American citizens include Mr. Hakit Yang, Mr. Congshineng Yang, and Mr. Trillion Yunhaison. The three are still missing in Laos, according to their families and human rights advocates.
In addition to the three Hmong-Americans, Laos security forces continue to harshly imprison, without charge, political and religious dissidents and they have isolated thousands of ethnic Hmong refugees forced back by the military of Thailand and Laos, according to an international joint communique released by the CPPA and others.[36][37]
The CPPA has raised concerns about egregious human rights violations in Laos by the Lao military and has been critical of granting Most Favored Trade Status (MFN), or Normalized Trade Status (NTR), to the communist regime in Laos, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic. It has also criticized efforts to remove Laos from the trade "blacklist" while it engaged in military attacks against Laotian and Hmong political and religious dissidents, and unarmed Laotian and Hmong civilians.[38][39]
Foreign Political Prisoners: Kerry and Kay Danes Arrested, Imprisoned and Tortured in Laos
On 23 December 2000, just prior to Christmas Kerry and Kay Danes were arrested by Lao security forces and unjustly imprisoned under harsh conditions and tortured in Phonthong Prison in Vientiane by the Lao government while seeking to facilitate major foreign business investment in Laos, according to the Government of Australia who came to their assistance. Following their release from the Lao government, Kay Danes and here husband were invited to testified in Washington,D.C., and the U.S. Congress, at the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, and at policy events on current policy issues in Laos, including human rights violations, torture, religious persecution and other issues.[40]
Kay Danes was repeatedly invited to testify at the U.S. Congressional Forum on Laos, along with T.Kumar of Amnesty International, and Members of Congress, including U.S. Congressman Frank Wolf, U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, foreign policy experts, including Philip Smith of the CPPA and others, where Mrs. Danes shared crucial information about human rights violations. She also testified about the arrest and disappearance of three Hmong-Americans from St. Paul, Minnesota, who were arrested in Laos by the Lao People's Army (LPA) and detained, tortured, and disappeared in Laos' notorious Phonthong Prison in Vientiane at the hands of Laos' security forces.[41] This is the same prison where Kay Danes and her husband had previously been detained under harsh and deplorable conditions, and tortured, several years prior in Laos under extremely harsh conditions along with other foreign prisoners. Mrs. Sheng Xiong a Hmong-American human rights advocate, also testified with Kay Danes about the arrest, imprisonment and torture of the three Hmong-Americans. These three Hmong-Americans, Mr. Hakit Yang, Mr. Congshineng Yang, and Mr. Trillion Yunhaison, are still missing in Laos, following their arrest and imprisonment by the Lao People's Army and Lao military and security forces.[42][43]
Thailand & Opposition to the Forced Repatriation of Laotian, Hmong, Burmese and Indochinese Refugees and Asylum Seekers
The CPPA has a long and successful track-record of work with Indochinese refugees and asylum seekers in Southeast Asia. It played a leading role regarding the plight of Lao Hmong refugees and asylum seekers who sought refugee in camps along the Mekong River and Thai-Lao border, Wat Tham Krabok and the camps and detention center at Ban Huay Nam Khao, "White Water, Petchabun Province, Thailand.
From 1989-2013, Philip Smith and the CPPA were involved in major efforts to halt, stop, and reverse the forced repatriation of tens of thousands of Laotian and Hmong political refugees and asylum seekers in Southeast Asia, and were successful in having tens of thousands granted political asylum in the United States and in other third countries, including Canada, France, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere. The CPPA also played a major international role in raising human rights concerns about the thousands of Lao Hmong refugees that were forcibly repatriated from these camp in Thailand back to the communist regime in Laos that they fled.[44][45][46][47][48][49]
Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) & VPA Military Attacks, Religious Persecution Directed Against Viet Hmong Protestors in 2011
The CPPA said that Vietnamese troops had killed 28 Hmong protesters, during one period, in Dien Bien Phu area, with hundreds more missing, following multi-day protests in Vietnam near the Laos border in 2011.[50][51][52]
The CPPA and others claim more Vietnamese Hmong were killed, wounded, or "disappeared" by Vietnamese and Laotian security forces during the long anti-government protest which involved issues of religious freedom, religious freedom violations, land reform, illegal logging, and concerns about government corruption.[53][54]
According to the CPPA and others, many of the peaceful protestors involved in the protests who were arrested, disappeared or killed were Hmong Catholics and Christians.[55]
The Vietnamese government, The Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), acknowledged there had been clashes but denied anyone had been killed.[56]
Independent journalists and human rights organizations raised serious concerns. The SRV sealed of the area to journalists during the military crackdown against the Vietnamese Hmong protesters in Dien Bien Province area which involved the deployment of Vietnam People's Army (VPA) troops and helicopter gunships.[57][58][59]
The SRV sentenced a number of the Vietnamese Hmong protestors to prison sentences, which was criticized by human rights organizations and experts.[60][61][62]
Military and National Security History Research & Veterans Memorial Ceremonies
The Centre for Public Policy Analysis has taken a leadership role in organizing major national veterans' recognition ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Congress, especially to honor Laotian and Hmong veterans, and their American advisers, who served in the clandestine theater of the Royal Kingdom Laos during the Vietnam War.[63]
The CPPA works with major veterans organizations, including the Lao Veterans of America, Inc. the Lao Veterans of America Institute, the U.S. Special Forces Association, and others, to seek to honor Lao and Hmong veterans who served in the "U.S. Secret Army" in Laos during the Vietnam War.[64][65] In May 1997, the CPPA worked with these organization to help dedicate the Laos and Hmong Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery Laos Memorial.
The CPPA's Philip Smith has commented publicly, on a number of occasions, about U.S. intelligence community figures, and operations, including Vietnam and Cold War era figures and activities, from both Democratic and Republican Administrations, including William Colby, Tony Poe, Lawrence Devlin and others.[66] [67][68]
The CPPA also works to honor Vietnam War veterans of the First and Second Indochina War who served in Vietnam, the Kingdom of Laos, Cambodia and The Kingdom of Thailand, including American, South Vietnamese, Royal Laotian, Cambodian and French military and clandestine veterans.[69][70]
In 2011, the CPPA campaigned for former Hmong leader and Royal Lao Army Lieutenant General Vang Pao to be given a memorial service in Arlington Cemetery after US authorities refused to grant him the right to be buried there. Pao was arrested in the US in 2007 on charges of plotting to overthrow the one-party, communist Laos' Government, the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (LPDR); The charges against General Vang Pao were later dropped.[71] The CPPA's Executive Director, Philip Smith, wrote an editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune outlining Vang Pao's contribution to U.S. national security interests during the Vietnam War following the Lao-Hmong leaders death in 2011.[72]
The CPPA's Philip Smith persisted in his efforts, and the CPPA, along with the Lao Veterans of America, Inc., and others helped to organize national veterans ceremonies in May 2011 to officially honor Vang Pao at Arlington National Cemetery [73]
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- ^ America: National Catholic Review (Magazine) (23 May 2011) "Dozens Reported Killed in Hmong Protest" http://americamagazine.org/issue/777/signs/dozens-reported-killed-hmong-protest
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- ^ Lao Veterans of America, Inc. http://www.laoveteransofamerica.org
- ^ http://www.laoveterans.org
- ^ Washington Times, (8 May 1996) "Refugees from Laos mourn a friend, Colby: Tribe worked closely with ex-CIA leader" http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WT&p_theme=wt&p_action=sea
- ^ Erhlich, Richard, Asia Times,Hong Kong, atimes.com, (8 July 2003)"Death of a dirty fighter" http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/EG08Ae02.html
- ^ Erhlich, Richard, Bangkok Post, www.bangkokpost.com , (7 July 2003), "OBITUARY / TONY POSHEPNY (POE) - CIA operative stood out in `secret war' in Laos" http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/942811/posts
- ^ Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (14 December 2011), Robert Jambon: A Bold Life & Death For Laos and Hmong" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1112/S00467/robert-jambon-a-bold-life-death-for-laos-and-hmong.htm
- ^ Scoop Independent News, Auckland, New Zealand, (24 December 2011), "Laos, Vietnam Human Rights Defender Mourned At Arlington" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1112/S00752/laos-vietnam-human-rights-defender-mourned-at-arlington.htm
- ^ Asia One News (13 May 2011). "Vietnam vet to get US honors after burial snub".
- ^ Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota ( 7 March 2011), "Vang Pao Burial Decision A Disgrace: Lao Hmong veterans who fought in America's covert war should be fully honored" http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/117551498.html
- ^ Agence France Press (AFP) & Asia One News, (13 May 2011) "Vietnam vet to get US honors after burial snub" http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20110513-278644.html
External links
The Centre for Public Policy Analysis [1]