Agron Dragaj is a Kosova born photographer currently based in Bangkok, Thailand. He graduated from Prishtina University in 1992 and New York Institute of Photography (NYIP), passion for photography led him to become a versatile, extrovert and independent photographer specializing in documentary photojournalism, travel photography and portraits.
His photography focuses on impact of war on social structures, rebel groups, displacement of people due to conflict while ongoing projects focus on the issues /wars which do not appear anymore on the mainstream media.
Five years of work in Sri Lanka went into the documentary “Portraits of Displacement”, which portrays the displacement and humanitarian relief efforts of UN agencies and I/NGOs – due not only to two decades of civil war but also the displacement of people after the Tsunami, which hit the Sri Lankan coast on 26 December 2004.
Gun’s of Mindanao (2009-10)
Mindanao, Southern Philippines. Domination of private armies, paramilitary units, Community Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), armed civilians, family blood feuds or RIDO’s, powerful political dynasties and their private armies, rebel groups fighting for independence and high level of corruption in the police and Army, leave majority of civilians especially those with no connection with political dynasties defenseless.
Powerful Mindanao families can get away without being imprisoned when retaliate and kill several members of the rival family if they are in blood feud or being a political rival. Rido’s are considered to be one of the major problems in Mindanao because apart from numerous casualties, rido has caused destruction of property, crippled the local economy, and displaced families. More than 6,000 people have been killed in rido’s and 67% of the cases remain unsolved.
Prisons are overcrowded with a pity crime offenders while members of the powerful clans despite being on the most wanted list of the Philippine National Police run for vice mayor and freely conduct election campaigns, often guarded by scores of private armies. Members of the most powerful clan in Mindanao even though in prison and indicted for most gruesome massacre can run their daily affairs from the prison cell through mobile phones.
As the gun culture in Mindanao is increasing children are growing up amid complex situation where presence of gun violence, kidnapping, insurgency and poverty is part of their daily life rendering them to uncertain future.
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