61 More Montagnards Arrive in Phnom Penh

The final group of 61 Montagnard asylum-seekers collected from the jungles of Ratanakkiri province over the past week and a half were transported to Phnom Penh on Wednesday under the protection of the UN refugee agency. Another 33 Montagnards were airlifted to the capital Monday by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The UNHCR is planning a visit to neighboring Mondolkiri province, where at least four more asylum-seekers from Vietnam’s Central Highlands are believed to be hiding, said UNHCR country coordinator Thamrongsak Meechubot on Thursday. The latest group brings the total number of Montagnards taken under UNHCR protection since July to 348. (Wency Leung)