UNHCR To Return to Vietnam-Border Area

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees plans to travel to Ratanakkiri and Mondolkiri provinces later this week to investigate reports that Montagnard asylum-seekers are hiding there, Thamrongsak Meechubot, the UNHCR’s Phnom Penh representative, said on Tuesday. “It will happen this week,” he said. “We’re not sure of the day yet, but it could be Saturday.” Human rights groups have reported that nearly 60 Montagnards are hiding in the northeast jungles. Unlike previous trips, the government has given the UNHCR permission to travel to Mondolkiri, Meechubot said. It is unclear how many asylum-seekers are hiding in Mondolkiri, though human rights groups have said about 15 are hiding in an area of Ratanakkiri. (Daniel Ten Kat)