ID :
125262
Mon, 05/31/2010 - 17:49
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http://m.oananews.org//node/125262
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Thai PM defends military operation against protesters
BANGKOK, May 31 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday insisted his government had no intention to crack down with lethal force on the anti-government Red Shirt protesters, saying the military operation sealing off their main rally base was aimed to pressure the protesters to end their rally.
The prime minister made the statement in response to the accusation by
some opposition Puea Thai MPs during the first day of a two-day
no-confidence debate targeting on the prime minister and five ministers.
Puea Thai Party MP Sunai Chulapongsathorn accused the prime minister of abusing power by ordering security forces to shoot Red Shirt protesters leading to a number of deaths and injuries.
If the prime minister is still in his post, the division will escalate and remain unsolvable, he said.
The prime minister however said the army operation on the afternoon of
April 10 was aimed at retaking the protest site at Phan Fa Bridge, noting that no deaths were reported during the military operation but casualties followed the M79 grenade attacks by unidentified groups of armed men in the evening.
Regarding the May19 chaos, the premier said the troops pressured the
protesters to end their protest at Ratchaprasong intersection, but no
force was used against them as it could be seen there were no casualties of women and children at the main rally site.
Chaos occurred after the end of the protest with arson, grenade attacks and violence.
Mr Abhisit also reiterated his government has never branded all the Red Shirt protesters as terrorists or as being involved with a movement attempting to overthrow the monarchy.
He said the government has made it clear that the terrorists would be
dealt with through legal action, while the protesters will be treated with a reconciliatory approach.
The first day of no-confidence debate opened Monday morning when
Opposition whip chief Witthaya Booranasiri spoke detailing main points to censure the prime minister, in particular for gross rights violation by ordering troops to use weapons in cracking down on demonstrators at variance with international standard practice which he said led to many deaths and injuries.
At least 88 people died and nearly 1,900 were injured during two months of political unrest.
Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay called Monday for an
independent probe into Thailand's recent deadly violence and for those
responsible for rights violations to be held to account, according to an Agence France Press (AFP) report.
"To foster longer-term political reconciliation, I urge the government to ensure that an independent investigation of recent events be conducted and all those found responsible for human rights violations" be held accountable, Mr Pillay was quoted as saying by AFP. (TNA)
The prime minister made the statement in response to the accusation by
some opposition Puea Thai MPs during the first day of a two-day
no-confidence debate targeting on the prime minister and five ministers.
Puea Thai Party MP Sunai Chulapongsathorn accused the prime minister of abusing power by ordering security forces to shoot Red Shirt protesters leading to a number of deaths and injuries.
If the prime minister is still in his post, the division will escalate and remain unsolvable, he said.
The prime minister however said the army operation on the afternoon of
April 10 was aimed at retaking the protest site at Phan Fa Bridge, noting that no deaths were reported during the military operation but casualties followed the M79 grenade attacks by unidentified groups of armed men in the evening.
Regarding the May19 chaos, the premier said the troops pressured the
protesters to end their protest at Ratchaprasong intersection, but no
force was used against them as it could be seen there were no casualties of women and children at the main rally site.
Chaos occurred after the end of the protest with arson, grenade attacks and violence.
Mr Abhisit also reiterated his government has never branded all the Red Shirt protesters as terrorists or as being involved with a movement attempting to overthrow the monarchy.
He said the government has made it clear that the terrorists would be
dealt with through legal action, while the protesters will be treated with a reconciliatory approach.
The first day of no-confidence debate opened Monday morning when
Opposition whip chief Witthaya Booranasiri spoke detailing main points to censure the prime minister, in particular for gross rights violation by ordering troops to use weapons in cracking down on demonstrators at variance with international standard practice which he said led to many deaths and injuries.
At least 88 people died and nearly 1,900 were injured during two months of political unrest.
Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Navi Pillay called Monday for an
independent probe into Thailand's recent deadly violence and for those
responsible for rights violations to be held to account, according to an Agence France Press (AFP) report.
"To foster longer-term political reconciliation, I urge the government to ensure that an independent investigation of recent events be conducted and all those found responsible for human rights violations" be held accountable, Mr Pillay was quoted as saying by AFP. (TNA)
