TOKYO, Japan – April 1st, 2006 – OnAsia photographer Thierry Falise has won the prestigious Special Jury Prize at the ‘Days Japan International Photojournalism Awards.’ The award was given for Thierry’s photo essay entitled ‘Humanitarian Commandos Burma.’

An internationally renowned photographer, Thierry Falise has been covering border conflicts and rebel movements in the Asian region for the past two decades.  His work often focuses on the plight of minority groups that are the victims of state repression, but who live in remote or difficult to access areas. His winning photo essay is part of an in-depth photographic project involving several long and perilous trips into the jungles of northern Burma. The report, compiled over several years, describes the work of a group of volunteers who risk their lives to bring medical aid to thousands of civilians living in the shadow of the Burmese junta’s ongoing war against its ethnic minorities.

“I’m interested in reporting on issues that are not necessarily in the media spotlight. I just hope that my images will make people more of aware of the suffering that many ordinary, but less fortunate people endure at the hands of a repressive state. I place importance on telling stories that would otherwise be overlooked by the mainstream of the media,” says Thierry, who is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

To view Thierry’s story about the Humanitarian Commandos, please click on the following link: http://www.onasia.com/content/story.aspx?storyID=71&page=3

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