Let peace and justice reign in Southern Thailand : QC IMC

We as organizations and individuals who value and advocate justice, human rights and peace strongly condemn the inhuman treatment and killing of 85 people many of whom were Muslims, in Narathiwat Province, Southern Thailand in October 25.

From direct physical assaults to indiscriminate firing of guns at protesters and enclosing the victims inside army trucks that possibly have led to their suffocation and death, these murderous and inhuman actions of the military smack at the Thaksin government’s fascism and direct brutality.

Furthermore, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shiniwatra’s statements on the said events were irresponsible, injurious and biased. His public apology for recklessly commenting on the Muslim’s tradition of the Ramadan as the cause of those who died inside the military trucks is not enough. Even the reported 100,000 Baht compensation given by PM Thaksin for the victim’s families is not enough. His words and measly compensation will not spell justice to the dead.

Using brute force and fascism on the protesters in front of the police station in Narathiwat did not address but rather evaded and muffled the reasons for the unrest. They, mostly young men and unarmed, trooped to the police station to protest a previous arrest of six village volunteers suspected of supporting armed Islamic militants.

It was a legitimate and rightful action, an expression of their right to assemble, turned into an atrocious and bloody nightmare caused by the military themselves.

Adding to this criminal act of the government and the military is the arrest of 1,300 other people. Recently, it was reported that most of the detained protesters were released. However, 189 people remain in jail and are uncertain of release.

The inhuman crackdown on the people’s dissent is then denounced in the strongest sense. We demand that:

a. An independent commission under the supervision of an International body such as the United Nations Commissioner of Human Rights should be created to lead the inquiry and investigation of the tragedy. The Thai government now in question should allow such an independent and impartial body to proceed with the investigation without fear of persecution or assault.

b. Prosecute those responsible to the brutal crime and human rights violations

c. The immediate withdrawal of all military troops in the area.

d. The unconditional release of the remaining 189 arrested persons and detained since October 25.

e. PM Thaksin should step down immediately and take full responsibility on the Narathiwat massacre.

Human rights are to be upheld, not violated. Those having them protected, not killed.

We gather here today standing for and demanding justice. We shall support all initiatives to provide justice to the victims. Our hands and our hearts are up for the people of Thailand who wish nothing more than what we wish for: a country free of fear and violence, and peace that is based on justice.

Signatories:

Asian Students Association (ASA)
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
Thai Regional Alliance (TRA)
United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK)
Asosiasi Tenaga Kerja Indonesia di HK (ATKI-HK)
Abra Tinguian Ilocano Society
Migrante Sectoral Party Hong Kong
Mission for Filipino Migrant Workers (MFMW)
Friends of Bethune House (FBH)
Fung Ka Keung
Chura Bahadur Thapa