Roger Arnold

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  • Roger Arnold, cameraman and photographer working in Asia and Africa.
    Roger Bayanuur 2013 3.jpg
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  • Refugee, Zong Lee Lor, holding his UNHCR refugee certificate in Thailand. He was captured by the Lao Army in the jungles of Laos and claims he was tortured for one year in arm and leg stocks unable to move before he finally escaped.  He currently suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.....Zong Lee Lor told a human rights advocate,  "When the Lao soldiers capture and detain us they say they?re not arresting its Lao citizens they?re arresting Americans. When they hit and beat us they say they don?t beat us but beat the Americans."....On January 30th, 2007, Thai authorities tried to forcibly deport Zong Lee Lor along with 152 other refugees.  The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ....The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ....On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos.  The Lao Government called this group of 160 "Economic refugees"; however, they have vanished inside Laos.....Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   ..This includes jungle leader Blia Shoua Her?s group of 438 people who suffered the alleged massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from the UN, Amnesty International, diplomats and human rights groups.....Deporting recognized refugees is an illegal act against a principle of international law called non refoulment.  ..**Exclusive**
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  • Refugee, Tong Her, holding his UNHCR refugee certificate in Thailand. He escaped from the jungles of Laos after half his face was shot off by the communist Lao Army.  ....His group of Hmong people report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces near Vang Vieng, Laos.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).....On January 30th, 2007, Thai authorities tried to forcibly deport Tong Her along with 152 other refugees.  The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ....The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ....On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos.  The Lao Government called this group of 160 "Economic refugees"; however, they have vanished inside Laos.....Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   ..This includes jungle leader Blia Shoua Her?s group of 438 people who suffered the alleged massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from the UN, Amnesty International, diplomats and human rights groups.....Deporting recognized refugees is an illegal act against a principle of international law called non refoulment.  ..**Exclusive**
    Hmong Nong Khai 28.1.jpg
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  • Phi Ta Khon Festival, Dan Sai, Thailand.....The Phi Ta Khon or Ghost Festival is held each year combining the celebration of Boon Phra Wate held during the 4th lunar month and Boon Bung Fai held during the 6th lunar month.  It is a combination of Buddhist merit making and offerings to the spirits for rain and a productive rice harvest.  There are solemn ceremonies following normal Buddhist scripts and ghosts or spirits are often intertwined with this.....However, each year the 3 day festival draws raucous teams of local mask makers, mostly young men, who dress as Phi Ta Khon "Ghosts" and consume large quantities of lao khao (rice wine).  The Phi Ta Khon parade through the streets with large wooden phallus symbols playfully teasing everyone.  Each day the parade ends at Phon Chai Temple where the Phi Ta Khon and the town's people circle the temple repeatedly dancing and cheering.  There are also giant Phi Ta Khon Yai made of bamboo resembling men and women with exaggerated genitals.  Many in the crowd take turns leading the male Phi Ta Khon Yai around the temple by his sex organ.  ....The top of the masks are made of traditional rice baskets and rockets are fired into the sky to please the spirits and signal for rain.....The parade celebrates the Buddha's last great incarnation before achieving enlightenment.  According to legend the last incarnation was celebrated with such fervor that the parade invoked the spirits to join in the festivities...
    Phi Ta Khon Alamy 01.jpg
  • Phi Ta Khon Festival, Dan Sai, Thailand.....The Phi Ta Khon or Ghost Festival is held each year combining the celebration of Boon Phra Wate held during the 4th lunar month and Boon Bung Fai held during the 6th lunar month.  It is a combination of Buddhist merit making and offerings to the spirits for rain and a productive rice harvest.  There are solemn ceremonies following normal Buddhist scripts and ghosts or spirits are often intertwined with this.....However, each year the 3 day festival draws raucous teams of local mask makers, mostly young men, who dress as Phi Ta Khon "Ghosts" and consume large quantities of lao khao (rice wine).  The Phi Ta Khon parade through the streets with large wooden phallus symbols playfully teasing everyone.  Each day the parade ends at Phon Chai Temple where the Phi Ta Khon and the town's people circle the temple repeatedly dancing and cheering.  There are also giant Phi Ta Khon Yai made of bamboo resembling men and women with exaggerated genitals.  Many in the crowd take turns leading the male Phi Ta Khon Yai around the temple by his sex organ.  ....The top of the masks are made of traditional rice baskets and rockets are fired into the sky to please the spirits and signal for rain.....The parade celebrates the Buddha's last great incarnation before achieving enlightenment.  According to legend the last incarnation was celebrated with such fervor that the parade invoked the spirits to join in the festivities...
    Phi Ta Khon Alamy 29.jpg
  • Ms. Khoua Lee, only a teenager, shows her injuries, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 3, 2006.  She told me her story of being ambushed by Laos Government soldiers on July 15, 2003.  She says they shot her in the face and hand before she was able to escape.  Tears trickled down her face over the scare that reached from her mouth almost to her ear...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos Hmong 129.jpg
  • 80 year old, Blia Yang Fang, holds his battered American made AR-15 he used as part of the CIA Secret Army, near Vang Vieng Laos, July 3, 2006..  He fought for the French when they held Laos as a colony and later fought for the CIA working in demolition teams to sabotage the North Vietnamese Army invading Laos...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 5.jpg
  • Nang Li Hua, boils a wild plant from the jungle, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 29, 2006.  The women and children hunt all day in the forest for wild roots and berries while the men do their best to protect them.  They usually spend about 18 hours per day just trying to find food and often go hungry.  They say the Lao army shoots at them so often they are unable to stay in one place to farm vegetables or livestock.  Many suffer digestive problems, malnutrition and starvation...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 6.jpg
  • Jo Vong Thaw, holds a rat he caught for food bare handed, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 30, 2006.  The Hmong hiding in the jungle are near starvation in many cases, surviving on any wild plants or animals they can scavenge.  Many suffer digestive problems, malnutrition and starvation...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 2.jpg
  • There were tense scenes at the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Center as authorities tried to deport 152 Hmong refugees back to Laos, Nong Khai, Thailand, on Tuesday January 30th, 2007.  In protest the women and children sat in the street infront of the buses.  Some Hmong collapsed with emotion and exhaustion from the ordeal.  ..The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ..The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ..On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos...Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   This includes Blia Shoua Her's group of 438 people who suffered the massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from humanitarian groups.
    _DSC0035.1Copy.jpg
  • Soldiers rest in their abandoned village, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 2, 2006...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland and rescuing US pilots.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN....
    Laos JungleHmong 8.jpg
  • Hmong soldiers camped in the remote jungle, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 26, 2006. ..**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland and rescuing US pilots.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN....
    Laos JungleHmong 10.jpg
  • Tong Her in an ambulance during tense scenes at the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Center as authorities threatened to deport 152 Hmong refugees back to Laos, Nong Khai, Thailand, on Tuesday January 30th, 2007. Tong has been recieving reconstructive surgery in Thailand and was being taken from the Dention Center to Nong Khai Hospital for treatment. Half of Tong's face was shot off by Lao Army forces in the jungles of Laos.  ..The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men, including Tong's father, Blia Shoua Her, barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ..The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ..On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos...Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   This includes Blia Shoua Her's group of 438 people who suffered the massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from humanitarian groups.
    Tong Her 301Copy.jpg
  • Ms. Mee Moua Vang, with her baby, Li Cheng Vang, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 4, 2006.  Her message  to the world, "My husband and two older daughters were killed by the communist while foraging for food.  My daughter Blee was attacked by the communist where her guts were sticking out and I was unable to help her so she died.  I miss her very much.  I am desperately suffering here with no help.  I ask you to come in and save us.  Bring us food."..**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**
    Laos JungleHmong 9.jpg
  • Village leader, Blia Shoua Her (center), holding an old American M-79 grenade launcher and surrounded by former Hmong fighters from the CIA's Secret Army, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 3, 2006.  Most of the men are from surrounding CIA Lima Sites 363, 319, 90 and 74.  The CIA established remoted jungle landing strips in Laos called Lima Sites to provide aerial supply to their Secret Army.  Ironically the Lao communist government now uses Lima Site 363 to supply its troops and to attack Blia Shoua Her and his men from the Secret Army...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**.The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 4.1Copy.jpg
  • Ms. Mee Moua Vang, pleads for help, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 4, 2006.  Her message  to the world, "My husband and two older daughters were killed by the communist while foraging for food.  My daughter Blee was attacked by the communist where her guts were sticking out and I was unable to help her so she died.  I miss her very much.  I am desperately suffering here with no help.  I ask you to come in and save us.  Bring us food."..**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**
    Laos JungleHmong 21.jpg
  • Chea Thaw with bloated stomach common to most children hiding in the jungle, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 29, 2006.  The women and children hunt all day in the forest for wild roots and berries while the men do their best to protect them.  They usually spend about 18 hours per day just trying to find food and often go hungry.  They say the Lao army shoots at them so often they are unable to stay in one place to farm vegetables or livestock.  Many suffer digestive problems, malnutrition and starvation...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 15.1Copy.jpg
  • A plaque dedicated to Laos combat veterans from the CIA secret war, Arlington Cemetary, Virginia, USA,  August 17, 2006.  Approximately 20,000 to 30,000 Hmong were killed serving in the CIA secret army, some estimates put the figure much higher.  Approximately 200,000 Hmong Americans live now in the USA, many are refugees from the war.....  ..
    124Copy.jpg
  • Blia Shoua Her (center standing), and some of his group, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 4, 2006.  He apologized to me that more of his 500 people could not be present for a village portrait as they were too busy and desperate out searching for food in the jungle.  ..**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 20.1Copy.jpg
  • Women and children wash wild roots dug from the jungle, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 29, 2006.  The women and children hunt all day in the forest for wild roots and berries while the men do their best to protect them.  They usually spend about 18 hours per day just trying to find food and often go hungry.  They say the Lao army shoots at them so often they are unable to stay in one place to farm vegetables or livestock.  Many suffer digestive problems, malnutrition and starvation...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 11.jpg
  • Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar crossing the Naf River border through rice paddies into Bangladesh near Anjuman Para village, Palong Khali, Bangladesh, October 16, 2017.  Over 500,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since the outbreak of violence in Myanmar in August.   The UN High Commisioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, has described the situation as seeming to be a ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing.’
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  • Tong Her in an ambulance during tense scenes at the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Center as authorities threatened to deport 152 Hmong refugees back to Laos, Nong Khai, Thailand, on Tuesday January 30th, 2007. Tong has been recieving reconstructive surgery in Thailand and was being taken from the Dention Center to Nong Khai Hospital for treatment. Half of Tong's face was shot off by Lao Army forces in the jungles of Laos.  ..The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men, including Tong's father, Blia Shoua Her, barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ..The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ..On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos...Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   This includes Blia Shoua Her's group of 438 people who suffered the massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from humanitarian groups.
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  • A woman prays for help to an official at the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Center as authorities tried to deport 152 Hmong refugees back to Laos, Nong Khai, Thailand, on Tuesday January 30th, 2007.  In protest the women and children sat in the street infront of the buses.  Some Hmong collapsed with emotion and exhaustion from the ordeal.  ..The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ..The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ..On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos...Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   This includes Blia Shoua Her's group of 438 people who suffered the massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from humanitarian groups.
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  • Sua Her, peels wild roots dug from the jungle, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 28, 2006.  The women and children hunt all day in the forest for wild roots and berries while the men do their best to protect them.  They usually spend about 18 hours per day just trying to find food and often go hungry.  They say the Lao army shoots at them so often they are unable to stay in one place to farm vegetables or livestock.  Many suffer digestive problems, malnutrition and starvation...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 16.jpg
  • Thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar crossing the Naf River border through rice paddies into Bangladesh near Anjuman Para village, Palong Khali, Bangladesh, October 16, 2017.  Over 500,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since the outbreak of violence in Myanmar in August.   The UN High Commisioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, has described the situation as seeming to be a ‘textbook example of ethnic cleansing.’
    National Geographic Hungarian.jpg
  • Tou Ger Thao, on crutches after being shot in the leg, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 28, 2006.  His message to the world,  " I am a Hmong civilian.  I was attack by the communist troops on the 9th of October, 2005.  One of my companions by the name of Long and I were out to catch some fish at the in the forest.  We came under fire by the communist troop.  My companion, Long Thao, was killed while I was injured on my leg.  The communist troops came from the military encampment at Tin Oung.  Roughly 20 men attacked the two of us so my companion was killed.  My leg was broken and it has been nine months now that I am unable to walk.  ..I am pleading to the America, leader of the world, to come and save our lives.  We have been under constant attack by the communist military for 30 years now and we are perishing.  The majority of our population had been killed leaving a small number of us survivors.  Among the survivors, the majority of us have wounds and some are blind.  So I am asking you America, the world leader, to come save us and bring us medicines to treat us and food to feed us Hmong trapped in the jungle.  We have not committed any crime but being hunted down by the communist Lao.  We are near the edge of perished so I am asking you, America, to save our lives."  ...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .These pictures are from a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.
    Laos Hmong CIA Secret Army 16.jpg
  • Tong Her in an ambulance during tense scenes at the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Center as authorities threatened to deport 152 Hmong refugees back to Laos, Nong Khai, Thailand, on Tuesday January 30th, 2007. Tong has been recieving reconstructive surgery in Thailand and was being taken from the Dention Center to Nong Khai Hospital for treatment. Half of Tong's face was shot off by Lao Army forces in the jungles of Laos.  ..The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men, including Tong's father, Blia Shoua Her, barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ..The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ..On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos...Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   This includes Blia Shoua Her's group of 438 people who suffered the massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from humanitarian groups.
    Tong Her 201Copy.jpg
  • There were tense scenes at the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Center as authorities tried to deport 152 Hmong refugees back to Laos, Nong Khai, Thailand, on Tuesday January 30th, 2007.  In protest the women and children sat in the street infront of the buses.  Some Hmong collapsed with emotion and exhaustion from the ordeal.  ..The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ..The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ..On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos...Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   This includes Blia Shoua Her's group of 438 people who suffered the massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from humanitarian groups.
    _DSC0027Copy.jpg
  • There were tense scenes at the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Center as authorities tried to deport 152 Hmong refugees back to Laos, Nong Khai, Thailand, on Tuesday January 30th, 2007.  In protest the women and children sat in the street infront of the buses.  Some Hmong collapsed with emotion and exhaustion from the ordeal.  ..The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ..The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ..On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos...Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   This includes Blia Shoua Her's group of 438 people who suffered the massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from humanitarian groups.
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  • Tong Hua Her, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 29, 2006.  Half of Tong's face is missing from a bullet wound leaving him blind in one eye with his nasal cavity exposed.  His father and group leader, Blia Shoua Her yelled, "Communist!  Communist do this!"  His father says on July 15, 2003, Tong and some family were ambushed by Communist Lao troops who were on patrol...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
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  • Tong Fang, lays on the shallow grave of his wife mourning her loss, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 1, 2006.  When we reached the site of the massacre Tong Fang fell onto the grave wrapping himself in her clothing riddled with bullet holes.  Tong was totally inconsolable.  He was an armed escort to the women and children hunting for food on April 6th, and was wounded, but his young wife was cut down by bullets and died in his arms.  His message to the Lao Government is, "Our people are innocent civilians.  We had not commited any crimes.  Why did you kill our unarmed women and children?"..**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**.The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN.  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..
    Laos JungleHmong 19.jpg
  • As we approached the site of the April 6th massacre one soldier, Song Yee Thao, screamed and began to cry, then many of the others joined in mourning, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 30, 2006.  Group leader, Blia Shoua Her, in background...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 17.1Copy.jpg
  • Lia Pao Yang, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 27, 2006.  His message to the world,  "I am Lia Pao Yang.  I am twenty years of age this year.  I want to assure you that I have not shot at anybody nor had I committed any crime, or stolen anything, but the cruel communist Lao had targeted to kill me.  On the 23rd of September, 2001 the communist Lao set a landmine on my farm of cassava so I stepped on it and lost my leg.  Along with that, in 2002 when my family relocated to Black Mountain (Pha Lai), the communist troops fired mortar at my family killing my wife and son.  We are innocent civilians.  We have not done anything wrong to the communist but have been targeted by them.  Please come to rescue us."..**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**.The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN.  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..
    Laos JungleHmong 13.jpg
  • Young Hmong girls return with bamboo shoots for food, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 28, 2006.  The women and children hunt all day in the forest for wild roots and berries while the men do their best to protect them.  They usually spend about 18 hours per day just trying to find food and often go hungry.  They say the Lao army shoots at them so often they are unable to stay in one place to farm vegetables or livestock.  Many suffer digestive problems, malnutrition and starvation...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 14.jpg
  • A young boy stands guard in the jungle while his group rests, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 30, 2006...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland and rescuing US pilots.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN....
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  • A young boy stands guard in the jungle while his group rests, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 30, 2006...Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 1,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN.......
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  • A man dressed as a Phi Ta Khon or ghost at the Phi Ta Khon Festival, Dan Sai, Thailand, Saturday, July 5, 2008...The Phi Ta Khon or Ghost Festival is held each year combining the celebration of Boon Phra Wate held during the 4th lunar month and Boon Bung Fai held during the 6th lunar month.  It is a combination of Buddhist merit making and offerings to the spirits for rain and a productive rice harvest.  There are solemn ceremonies following normal Buddhist scripts and ghosts or spirits are often intertwined with this...However, each year the 3 day festival draws raucous teams of local mask makers, mostly young men, who dress as Phi Ta Khon "Ghosts" and consume large quantities of lao khao (rice wine).  The Phi Ta Khon parade through the streets with large wooden phallus symbols playfully teasing everyone.  Each day the parade ends at Phon Chai Temple where the Phi Ta Khon and the townís people circle the temple repeatedly dancing and cheering.  There are also giant Phi Ta Khon Yai made of bamboo resembling men and women with exaggerated genitals.  Many in the crowd take turns leading the male Phi Ta Khon Yai around the temple by his sex organ.  ..The top of the masks are made of traditional rice baskets and rockets are fired into the sky to please the spirits and signal for rain...The parade celebrates the Buddhaís last great incarnation before achieving enlightenment.  According to legend the last incarnation was celebrated with such fervor that the parade invoked the spirits to join in the festivities..
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  • Hua Li and Hmong soldiers cut through the jungle on their way to the site of the April 6th massacre, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 30, 2006...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  The CIA trained and funded many Hmong hill tribes in Laos from 1961 to 1973 to fight communism.  The Hmong suffered massive casualties defending their homeland and rescuing US pilots.  When America withdrew from the conflict most Hmong were left alone to face the might of the North Vietnamese Army.  The Royal Lao Government fell to the communists and the Hmong became outcasts in the country they fought to defend.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN....
    Laos JungleHmong 18.jpg
  • Song Tua Ya, carries his AK47 and young son while maintaining village security, near Vang Vieng, Laos, July 4, 2006...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .Pictured are a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.  The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people pictured have hidden in remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are said to exist, with little food, scavenging in the jungle. Most have not seen the modern world.  Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they are not part of the Hmong resistance and want peace.  He claims they are just civilians defending their families, hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 12.jpg
  • Left, Mee Moua Vang, with family infront of their make shift home, near Vang Vieng, Laos, June 28, 2006.  Her message  to the world, "My husband and two older daughters were killed by the communist while foraging for food.  My daughter Blee was attacked by the communist where her guts were sticking out and I was unable to help her so she died.  I miss her very much.  I am desperately suffering here with no help.  I ask you to come in and save us.  Bring us food."...**EXCLUSIVE, no tabloids without permission**  .These pictures are from a group of Hmong people who report an attack against them April 6, 2006 by Lao and Vietnamese military forces.  26 people perished, 5 were injured, and 5 babies died shortly after because their dead mothers could not breast-feed them.  Only one adult male was killed, the other 25 victims were women and children (17 children).  The Lao Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says this is a fabrication, an investigation has been completed, and there was no attack.   The Hmong group says no officials have interviewed witnesses or visited the crime scene, a point the Lao Spokesman did not deny.  ..The Hmong people in these pictures have been hiding in the remote mountains of Laos for more than 30 years, afraid to come out.  At least 12,000 are estimated to exist. Since 1975, under the communists, thousands of reports evidence the Hmong have suffered frequent persecution, torture, mass executions, imprisonment, and possible chemical weapons attacks.  Reports of these atrocities continue to this day.  The Lao Government generally denies the jungle people exist or that any of this is happening.  The Hmong group leader, Blia Shoua Her, says they want peace, and are just civilians defending their families hoping to surrender to the UN..
    Laos JungleHmong 3.jpg
  • Tong Her in an ambulance during tense scenes at the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Center as authorities threatened to deport 152 Hmong refugees back to Laos, Nong Khai, Thailand, on Tuesday January 30th, 2007. Tong has been recieving reconstructive surgery in Thailand and was being taken from the Dention Center to Nong Khai Hospital for treatment. Half of Tong's face was shot off by Lao Army forces in the jungles of Laos.  ....The deportation was postponed after the Hmong men, including Tong's father Blia Shoua Her, barricaded their jail cell and threatened mass suicide if they were forcibly sent back to Laos where they face possible torture and death.  ....The men reportedly declared, "We would rather die in Thailand than be sent back to Laos".  ....On May 16, 2007 the Thai Military Junta forced the UNHCR Bangkok refugee office to stop accepting applications from asylum seekers.  On Friday night June 8, 2007, after UNHCR and western diplomats had gone home for the weekend, Thai authorities forcibly deported a different group of 160 Hmong asylum seekers to back Laos.....Up to 1,000 Hmong jungle people surrendered to Lao authorities last year due to Lao Military pressure, an inability to defend themselves, and lack of food or medicine.   This includes Blia Shoua Her's group of 438 people who suffered the massacre April 6, 2006.  All of these Hmong have vanished and the Lao Government has made no account of their whereabouts or condition despite requests from humanitarian groups.
    Tong Her 1 01Copy.jpg
  • Today, Kheun Sokhon, walks with a confident limp over a hill known as "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield, located 20 kilometers from O'Chheukrom village.  8 male co workers follow behind her.  Four of them are amputees and limp too. Wearing body armor, blast visors and carrying hundreds of pounds of demining equipment they step into the minefield.  In searing heat Sokhon begins hiking up and down the hill removing heavy brush piles.  She takes great care not to step over a thin red line marking the minefield boundary.  She says the experience requires total clarity of mind, "I have to concentrate only on the sound of the metal detector.  I cannot think about anything else or an accident could happen". ..Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, stands safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   .
    Cambodia Female Deminer_38.jpg
  • Sokhon at work inside the danger zone at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield.....Wearing body armor, blast visors and carrying hundreds of pounds of demining equipment she and her colleagues step into the minefield.  In searing heat Sokhon begins hiking up and down the hill removing heavy brush piles.  She takes great care not to step over a thin red line marking the minefield boundary.  She says the experience requires total clarity of mind, "I have to concentrate only on the sound of the metal detector.  I cannot think about anything else or an accident could happen". ....Kheun Sokhon stares at the ground, surveying it slowly.  In front of her in the dense Cambodian jungle lies a hidden garden of danger.  Her eyes move from left to right following the head of a black metal detector over freshly cut brush.  She listens intently - loss of focus could cost her life.  The metal detector hums at a low pitch.  If it jumps to a high frequency - she must carefully mark the spot.  Red signs with skull and crossbones dot the landscape warning, "Danger!!  Mines!!".  ....Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, stands safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   ..
    Cambodia Female Deminer_23.jpg
  • Arriving at home near sunset Sokhon's daughter Sreymao, age 7, runs out the greet her.  Sokhon sits down in front of her parent's house - a bamboo hut with a sheet metal roof, measuring 5 meters by 4 meters.  Inside electricity comes from a car battery that powers one 12 watt light bulb and a small TV.  Next door Sokhon's house has a palm leave roof measuring 3 meters by 3 meters. She shares it with Sreymao.  Sokhon changes her black work boots for pink slippers.  She pauses to put Sreymao's hair in a ponytail and begins cooking for her family...Sokhon's mother (need her name?) sits down outside, she says, "We are so proud of her!"  She admits Sokhon is the primary reason the family is slowly escaping poverty and paying for her daughter and siblings to attend school.  With Sokhon's help they recently purchased a small plot of farmland where they plan to build a house...The last light of day trickles in over the Cardomon Mountains highlighting Sokhon's smile.  She sits down with Sreymao who is busy studying her 2nd grade schoolwork.  Sokhon says, "I want her to be a doctor, but we are too poor for that.  I hope she can be a nurse."..Standing behind them, far enough away that he can't hear is, (need name), Sokhon's new husband.  Sokhon says:  "My husband gives me good support. I cannot find another man better than him.  He doesn't drink and helps with the house work.  He carries water from the river.  He is responsible and takes Sreymao to school.  All my hope came back to me.  So I opened my heart back up.  Yes - I am in love".   .
    Cambodia Female Deminer_43.jpg
  • Sokhon at work inside the danger zone at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield......Wearing body armor, blast visors and carrying hundreds of pounds of demining equipment she and her colleagues step into the minefield.  In searing heat Sokhon begins hiking up and down the hill removing heavy brush piles.  She takes great care not to step over a thin red line marking the minefield boundary.  She says the experience requires total clarity of mind, "I have to concentrate only on the sound of the metal detector.  I cannot think about anything else or an accident could happen". .....Kheun Sokhon stares at the ground, surveying it slowly.  In front of her in the dense Cambodian jungle lies a hidden garden of danger.  Her eyes move from left to right following the head of a black metal detector over freshly cut brush.  She listens intently - loss of focus could cost her life.  The metal detector hums at a low pitch.  If it jumps to a high frequency - she must carefully mark the spot.  Red signs with skull and crossbones dot the landscape warning, "Danger!!  Mines!!".  .....Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, stands safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   .
    Cambodia Female Deminer_29.jpg
  • Sokhon with her daughter Sreymao and her parents in front of her parents house.....Arriving at home near sunset Sokhon's daughter Sreymao, age 7, runs out the greet her.  Sokhon sits down in front of her parent's house - a bamboo hut with a sheet metal roof, measuring 5 meters by 4 meters.  Inside electricity comes from a car battery that powers one 12 watt light bulb and a small TV.  Next door Sokhon's house has a palm leave roof measuring 3 meters by 3 meters. She shares it with Sreymao.  Sokhon changes her black work boots for pink slippers.  She pauses to put Sreymao's hair in a ponytail and begins cooking for her family.....Sokhon's mother, Kep Nann, sits down outside, she says, "We are so proud of her!"  She admits Sokhon is the primary reason the family is slowly escaping poverty and paying for her daughter and siblings to attend school.  With Sokhon's help they recently purchased a small plot of farmland where they plan to build a house.....The last light of day trickles in over the Cardomon Mountains highlighting Sokhon's smile.  She sits down with Sreymao who is busy studying her 2nd grade schoolwork.  Sokhon says, "I want her to be a doctor, but we are too poor for that.  I hope she can be a nurse."....Standing behind them, far enough away that he can't hear is, Khhuan Ry, Sokhon's new husband.  Sokhon says:  "My husband gives me good support. I cannot find another man better than him.  He doesn't drink and helps with the house work.  He carries water from the river.  He is responsible and takes Sreymao to school.  All my hope came back to me.  So I opened my heart back up.  Yes - I am in love".   ..
    Cambodia Female Deminer_59.jpg
  • Sohkhon puts her daughter Sreymao's hear in a pony tail in front of her house while her husband, Khhuan Ry, stands in the background...Arriving at home near sunset Sokhon's daughter Sreymao, age 7, runs out the greet her.  Sokhon sits down in front of her parent's house - a bamboo hut with a sheet metal roof, measuring 5 meters by 4 meters.  Inside electricity comes from a car battery that powers one 12 watt light bulb and a small TV.  Next door Sokhon's house has a palm leave roof measuring 3 meters by 3 meters. She shares it with Sreymao.  Sokhon changes her black work boots for pink slippers.  She pauses to put Sreymao's hair in a ponytail and begins cooking for her family...Sokhon's mother (need her name?) sits down outside, she says, "We are so proud of her!"  She admits Sokhon is the primary reason the family is slowly escaping poverty and paying for her daughter and siblings to attend school.  With Sokhon's help they recently purchased a small plot of farmland where they plan to build a house...The last light of day trickles in over the Cardomon Mountains highlighting Sokhon's smile.  She sits down with Sreymao who is busy studying her 2nd grade schoolwork.  Sokhon says, "I want her to be a doctor, but we are too poor for that.  I hope she can be a nurse."..Standing behind them, far enough away that he can't hear is, (need name), Sokhon's new husband.  Sokhon says:  "My husband gives me good support. I cannot find another man better than him.  He doesn't drink and helps with the house work.  He carries water from the river.  He is responsible and takes Sreymao to school.  All my hope came back to me.  So I opened my heart back up.  Yes - I am in love".   .
    Cambodia Female Deminer_46.jpg
  • An example of a Chinese Type 72 land mine at the MAG base camp at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield...Later that day one was found a Chinese Type 72 mine was found.  Sokhon's supervisors prepared demolition equipment, delicately placing 100 grams of TNT explosive on it.  4 deminers began announcing on loud speakers to surrounding villagers: "We would like to inform you all who are working near our minefield.  We will conduct a demolition shortly. Please evacuate from the area!"
    Cambodia Female Deminer_21.jpg
  • Amputees in rehab at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) centre in Battambang city.  The man at center in camouflage is, Pheap Ny, a former soldier for King Sihanouk.  His landmine accident happened in Udomeanchey Province in 1985.  In 1992 he received his first artificial limb now receiving his 5th limb.  The ICRC centre has treated 18,122 cases from 1991 - 2010, most of them amputees.
    Cambodia Female Deminer_60.jpg
  • Group photo of Sokhon and other deminers from left to right:  Ngen Sarum (Amputee), Im Samkul (supervisor), Mey Thorn, Hean Sean, Kheun Sokhon (Amputee), Kong Tha, Cheap Yoeurn (Amputee), Sath Samon (Amputee), Sam Khan..
    Cambodia Female Deminer_40.jpg
  • Page 1 photos and video for The Wall Street Journal profiling militant Red Shirt Leader Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, also known as Seh Daeng, at the Red Shirt front line in Lumpini Park, Bangkok, Thailand.  Seh Daeng was shot by a sniper in the same area 10 days later.
    Wall Street Journal_01.jpg
  • When Sokhon arrived ICRC staff took photo #8967 for their records.  In it Sokhon looks devastated, scared, and alone.  It is the youngest picture she has of herself.  She admits, "I destroyed all my childhood photos.  I didn't want to remember how I was." ..At the centre, ICRC Supervisor, Lim Horsan, recalls thousand of amputee cases, saying, "They are regarded negatively by society as 'Chon Pika' meaning 'broken person'. But here we refer to them as sister or brother." He estimates 80 to 90% have suicidal thoughts at first. Explaining they think their life is meaningless, a burden to their family, "They know they will be discriminated against by the community. For women becoming an amputee is more difficult - they think they lose their beauty."..The ICRC centre has treated 18,122 cases from 1991 - 2010, most of them amputees
    Cambodia Female Deminer_56.jpg
  • Photos for Jane's Intelligence Review feature on Red Shirt movement in Bangkok, Thailand.
    Janes Intelligence Review.jpg
  • Sokhon at work inside the danger zone at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield.....Wearing body armor, blast visors and carrying hundreds of pounds of demining equipment she and her colleagues step into the minefield.  In searing heat Sokhon begins hiking up and down the hill removing heavy brush piles.  She takes great care not to step over a thin red line marking the minefield boundary.  She says the experience requires total clarity of mind, "I have to concentrate only on the sound of the metal detector.  I cannot think about anything else or an accident could happen". ....Kheun Sokhon stares at the ground, surveying it slowly.  In front of her in the dense Cambodian jungle lies a hidden garden of danger.  Her eyes move from left to right following the head of a black metal detector over freshly cut brush.  She listens intently - loss of focus could cost her life.  The metal detector hums at a low pitch.  If it jumps to a high frequency - she must carefully mark the spot.  Red signs with skull and crossbones dot the landscape warning, "Danger!!  Mines!!".  ....Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, stands safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   ..
    Cambodia Female Deminer_27.jpg
  • The last light of day trickles in over the Cardomon Mountains highlighting Sokhon's smile.  She sits down with Sreymao who is busy studying her 2nd grade schoolwork.  Sokhon says, "I want her to be a doctor, but we are too poor for that.  I hope she can be a nurse."..Standing behind them, far enough away that he can't hear is, (need name), Sokhon's new husband.  Sokhon says:  "My husband gives me good support. I cannot find another man better than him.  He doesn't drink and helps with the house work.  He carries water from the river.  He is responsible and takes Sreymao to school.  All my hope came back to me.  So I opened my heart back up.  Yes - I am in love".   .
    Cambodia Female Deminer_55.jpg
  • Sokhon prepares dinner with her daughter Sreymao by her side.  Sokhon's husband, Khhuan Ry, holds another family member behind her...Arriving at home near sunset Sokhon's daughter Sreymao, age 7, runs out the greet her.  Sokhon sits down in front of her parent's house - a bamboo hut with a sheet metal roof, measuring 5 meters by 4 meters.  Inside electricity comes from a car battery that powers one 12 watt light bulb and a small TV.  Next door Sokhon's house has a palm leave roof measuring 3 meters by 3 meters. She shares it with Sreymao.  Sokhon changes her black work boots for pink slippers.  She pauses to put Sreymao's hair in a ponytail and begins cooking for her family...Sokhon's mother (need her name?) sits down outside, she says, "We are so proud of her!"  She admits Sokhon is the primary reason the family is slowly escaping poverty and paying for her daughter and siblings to attend school.  With Sokhon's help they recently purchased a small plot of farmland where they plan to build a house...The last light of day trickles in over the Cardomon Mountains highlighting Sokhon's smile.  She sits down with Sreymao who is busy studying her 2nd grade schoolwork.  Sokhon says, "I want her to be a doctor, but we are too poor for that.  I hope she can be a nurse."..Standing behind them, far enough away that he can't hear is, (need name), Sokhon's new husband.  Sokhon says:  "My husband gives me good support. I cannot find another man better than him.  He doesn't drink and helps with the house work.  He carries water from the river.  He is responsible and takes Sreymao to school.  All my hope came back to me.  So I opened my heart back up.  Yes - I am in love".   .
    Cambodia Female Deminer_45.jpg
  • Sokhon at work inside the danger zone at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield..  Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, stands safely 25 meters away, watching.....Wearing body armor, blast visors and carrying hundreds of pounds of demining equipment she and her colleagues step into the minefield.  In searing heat Sokhon begins hiking up and down the hill removing heavy brush piles.  She takes great care not to step over a thin red line marking the minefield boundary.  She says the experience requires total clarity of mind, "I have to concentrate only on the sound of the metal detector.  I cannot think about anything else or an accident could happen"......Kheun Sokhon stares at the ground, surveying it slowly.  In front of her in the dense Cambodian jungle lies a hidden garden of danger.  Her eyes move from left to right following the head of a black metal detector over freshly cut brush.  She listens intently - loss of focus could cost her life.  The metal detector hums at a low pitch.  If it jumps to a high frequency - she must carefully mark the spot.  Red signs with skull and crossbones dot the landscape warning, "Danger!!  Mines!!".  .....Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, stands safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   .
    Cambodia Female Deminer_30.jpg
  • Photos for Jane's Intelligence Review feature on Red Shirt movement in Bangkok, Thailand.
    Janes Intelligence Review_02.jpg
  • Inside the workshop at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) centre in Battambang city:   Chhorn Lang, age 42,  helped make Sokhon's prothesis so she could work for MAG in the field.  She been working for ICRC since 1993.  She lost a leg in 1988 to landmine in Battambong.  She says before she got the job she had very few friends, but now she has friends.  She says, "When I lost my leg I had no hope.  My thinking was like Sokhon, but I didn't want to die.  When I started to have this job my life improved.  It makes me happy to help others now.  Before it was difficult, if I wanted to get water I had to crawl to the river."  (The ICRC centre has treated 18,122 cases from 1991 - 2010, most of them amputees).
    Cambodia Female Deminer_63.jpg
  • Sokhon demonstrates testing her metal detector and the demining process in a safe zone at the MAG base camp at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield......Later inside the actual minefield, Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, described the process while standing safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   ..Kheun Sokhon, age 29, is a female deminer for Mines Advisory Group (MAG), in Palin Province, Cambodia.  She searches for land mines - facing the same threat that shattered her life at age 19 - when she stepped on a mine.  She admits, "I don't want people to experience what I have been through." ..
    Cambodia Female Deminer_20.jpg
  • Sokhon demonstrates testing her metal detector and the demining process in a safe zone at the MAG base camp at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield......Later inside the actual minefield, Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, described the process while standing safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   ..Kheun Sokhon, age 29, is a female deminer for Mines Advisory Group (MAG), in Palin Province, Cambodia.  She searches for land mines - facing the same threat that shattered her life at age 19 - when she stepped on a mine.  She admits, "I don't want people to experience what I have been through." ..
    Cambodia Female Deminer_18.jpg
  • Sokhon demonstrates testing her metal detector and the demining process in a safe zone at the MAG base camp at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield......Later inside the actual minefield, Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, described the process while standing safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   ..Kheun Sokhon, age 29, is a female deminer for Mines Advisory Group (MAG), in Palin Province, Cambodia.  She searches for land mines - facing the same threat that shattered her life at age 19 - when she stepped on a mine.  She admits, "I don't want people to experience what I have been through." ..
    Cambodia Female Deminer_15.jpg
  • Sokhon demonstrates testing her metal detector and the demining process in a safe zone at the MAG base camp at "Koun Phnum" or "Baby Mountain" minefield......Later inside the actual minefield, Sokhon's supervisor, Thor Thoeun, described the process while standing safely 25 meters away, watching.  With tension gripping his face, not wanting to disturb Sokhon, he whispers, "We are always scared in the minefield.  When the detector signals Sokhon will pinpoint the spot with a red chip."  Then she will excavate to find what is under it.  If Sokhon sees a mine she will place a red triangle pointing toward the danger.   Then she will blow a whistle for the supervisor to check the item.  If it is a land mine it will generally be destroyed in place.   ..Kheun Sokhon, age 29, is a female deminer for Mines Advisory Group (MAG), in Palin Province, Cambodia.  She searches for land mines - facing the same threat that shattered her life at age 19 - when she stepped on a mine.  She admits, "I don't want people to experience what I have been through." ..
    Cambodia Female Deminer_11.jpg
  • Page 1 photos and video for The Wall Street Journal profiling militant Red Shirt Leader Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, also known as Seh Daeng, at the Red Shirt front line in Lumpini Park, Bangkok, Thailand.  Seh Daeng was shot by a sniper in the same area 10 days later.
    Wall Street Journal_03.jpg
  • Assignment for Swiss Magazine Migros.  ....Swiss Ambassador, Dr. Rodolphe S. Imhoof, at his residence in the Embassy of Switzerland, Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, July 17, 2008.
    Migros Magazine.jpg
  • Copyright Roger Arnold not for use without written permission
    Red Shirts_12.jpg
  • Copyright Roger Arnold not for publication without written permission.
    Seh Daeng_02.jpg
  • Copyright Roger Arnold
    Red Shirts_10.jpg
  • Copyright Roger Arnold
    Red Shirts_15.jpg
  • An aerial view from above of Kutupalong Refugee Camp and Camp Extension.
    Roger Arnold 020.jpg
  • Aerial from the far end of Kutupalong Extention refugee camp where UNHCR has helped relocate new arrivals, Bangladesh.
    Roger Arnold 055.jpg
  • Aerial from the far end of Kutupalong Extention refugee camp where UNHCR has helped relocate new arrivals, Bangladesh.
    Roger Arnold 052.jpg
  • Aerial from the far end of Kutupalong Extention refugee camp where UNHCR has helped relocate new arrivals, Bangladesh.
    Roger Arnold 056.jpg
  • An eagle hunter prepares to demonstrate his eagle for spectators at the annual Eagle Hunting Festival which celebrates Kazakh culture, Bayan Olgi, Mongolia.  Kazakhs have hunted with eagles for centuries.  The Eagle Hunting Festival has revived Kazakh culture which was surpressed under Soviet rule.
    Eagle Hunting 7.jpg
  • Metal hunter Mr. Khamlek at Phonsavan Hospital one day after witnessesing his friend Mr. Pai die from trying to open a bomb near Phou Vieng, Laos, July 7, 2004.  He denied knowing Mr.Pai claiming to be an innocent passerby, hoping to claim relief assistance for those injured accidentally.  Those whose intentionally contact bombs are not elgible for assistance.  His friends and neighbors said he and Mr. Pai were close friends and that he had actually talked his friend, a retired bomb dissassembler, into trying to open the bomb for $15.
    857900.jpg
  • Children search for live bombs and bomb scrap on the Ho Chi Minh Trail.  Many UXO accidents in Laos are now caused by scrap metal hunters intentionally contacting and trying to open live bombs to sell...Laos was part of a "Secret War", waged within its borders primarily by the USA and North Vietnam.  Many left over weapons supplied by China and Russia continue to kill.  However, between 90 and 270 million fist size cluster bombs were dropped on Laos by the USA, with a failure rate up to 30%.  Millions of live cluster bombs still contaminate large areas of Laos causing death and injury.  The US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. ..The women of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) work everyday under dangerous conditions removing unexploded ordinance (UXO) from fields and villages...***All photographs of MAG's work must include (either on the photo or right next to it) the credit as follows:  Mine clearance by MAG (Reg. charity)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_45.jpg
  • Sompong, age 15 (center right), shows the wounds to his arm and leg when he and his brother tried to open a Russian 37mm anti-aircraft shell.  His cousin Soy Kiengphaserth, age 21 (center left), works in the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) female team.  She and the team found him on their way home from work and rushed him to the hospital while he was treated by a MAG Medic on the way.  Sompong's mother, Mone (far right), said, "If not for MAG they might not have survived."..Many accidents occur in Laos when people try to open live weapons to sell the explosives and scrap metal. ..Laos was part of a "Secret War", waged within its borders primarily by the USA and North Vietnam.  Many left over weapons supplied by China and Russia continue to kill.  However, between 90 and 270 million fist size cluster bombs were dropped on Laos by the USA, with a failure rate up to 30%.  Millions of live cluster bombs still contaminate large areas of Laos causing death and injury.  The US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. ..The women of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) work everyday under dangerous conditions removing unexploded ordinance (UXO) from fields and villages...***All photographs of MAG's work must include (either on the photo or right next to it) the credit as follows:  Mine clearance by MAG (Reg. charity)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_42.jpg
  • Female Deputy Team Leader, Phisamai Linsaiyoum, age 20, reacts to a controlled demolition she ignited.  She admitted, "Just after the large explosion I am very happy because if there is a misfire then I have to go and inspect what is wrong.  At that time it is very dangerous.  But so far I never have a misfire."..She detonated 76, BLU 26 cluster bombs, laying buried in the dirt after being located by one of the Mines Advisory Group ladies teams.  She disposed of the bombs without moving them in a controled demolition using TNT and C4 explosives.  It took the team 7 days to clear 14,352 sq meters...Laos was part of a "Secret War", waged within its borders primarily by the USA and North Vietnam.  Many left over weapons supplied by China and Russia continue to kill.  However, between 90 and 270 million fist size cluster bombs were dropped on Laos by the USA, with a failure rate up to 30%.  Millions of live cluster bombs still contaminate large areas of Laos causing death and injury.  The US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. ..The women of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) work everyday under dangerous conditions removing unexploded ordinance (UXO) from fields and villages...***All photographs of MAG's work must include (either on the photo or right next to it) the credit as follows:  Mine clearance by MAG (Reg. charity)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_31.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group female Technician, Douangmala Suansython, age 21, warns villagers to clear the area before the ladies team set of a controled demolition of 76 cluster bombs.  ..Laos was part of a "Secret War", waged within its borders primarily by the USA and North Vietnam.  Many left over weapons supplied by China and Russia continue to kill.  However, between 90 and 270 million fist size cluster bombs were dropped on Laos by the USA, with a failure rate up to 30%.  Millions of live cluster bombs still contaminate large areas of Laos causing death and injury.  The US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. ..The women of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) work everyday under dangerous conditions removing unexploded ordinance (UXO) from fields and villages...***All photographs of MAG's work must include (either on the photo or right next to it) the credit as follows:  Mine clearance by MAG (Reg. charity)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_29.jpg
  • Mines Advisory Group, Technician, Vonekham Dalavong, age 29, uses a metal detector to uncover live bombs hidden in the soil.  She and her partner, Sia, said, "The first time we found a bomb we were afraid.  But we have good training and team work.  We have found many bombs, now it is just normal.  But, if we see a snake - we drop everything and run!" ..Laos was part of a "Secret War", waged within its borders primarily by the USA and North Vietnam.  Many left over weapons supplied by China and Russia continue to kill.  However, between 90 and 270 million fist size cluster bombs were dropped on Laos by the USA, with a failure rate up to 30%.  Millions of live cluster bombs still contaminate large areas of Laos causing death and injury.  The US Military dropped approximately 2 million tons of bombs on Laos making it, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world.. .The women of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) work everyday under dangerous conditions removing unexploded ordinance (UXO) from fields and villages...***All photographs of MAG's work must include (either on the photo or right next to it) the credit as follows:  Mine clearance by MAG (Reg. charity)***.
    Laos Womens Demining_06.jpg
  • Khankheo Soukvilay, age 21, Technician, "I applied for this job because my sister [Vilaphan] is the team leader and I heard how much she liked working here. Sometimes I worry that she is watching to see if I am working hard enough! But when we are working we become team mates, so it is the same as working with the other women here."...Laos was part of a "Secret War", waged within its borders primarily by the USA and North Vietnam.  Many left over weapons supplied by China and Russia continue to kill.  However, between 90 and 270 million fist size cluster bombs were dropped on Laos by the USA, with a failure rate up to 30%.  Millions of live cluster bombs still contaminate large areas of Laos causing death and injury.   ..The women of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) work everyday under dangerous conditions removing unexploded ordinance (UXO) from fields and villages...***All photographs of MAG's work must include (either on the photo or right next to it) the credit as follows:  Mine clearance by MAG (Reg. charity)***.
    Laos MAG Portraits_20.jpg
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