PHNOM PENH (21 January 2016) - OHCHR-SE Asia is encouraged by the decision of the Government of Cambodia to begin processing the claims of 171 Montagnard asylum seekers in Phnom Penh. Previously, the RGC, in relation to some 200 asylum seekers from Vietnam, stated that these refugee claimants had until 6 February 2016 to return voluntarily to Vietnam, or else they would be forcibly returned. This would have constituted refoulement, which is strictly prohibited under international law. OHCHR applauds this new development and calls on the Government of Cambodia "to process all the asylum claims in a fair and efficient way, and in compliance with international standards": Read the full press release here.