ID :
125488
Tue, 06/01/2010 - 16:56
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http://m.oananews.org//node/125488
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PM pledges no political interference in probe into lethal violence
BANGKOK, June 1 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday promised that he would not interfere with the work of a panel soon to be set up to investigate violent incidents during the recent army operations against the Red Shirt protesters.
The prime minister made the statement in response to a call from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay who said earlier in a speech to the human rights council, urging the Thai government to "ensure that an independent investigation of recent events be conducted and all those found responsible for human rights violations [should be] held to account.''
Mr Abhisit said his government is approaching a person to chair the panel, adding that the makeup of the panel will become clearer after the two-day censure debate is over.
"Please be assured that I will definitely not influence nor interfere with the investigation," the prime minister said on the second day of the no-confidence debate against him and his five ministers in the House of Representatives.
The political violence has been the main focus of the heated debate, particularly the military operation that forced the Red Shirt leaders to call off their two-month long protest which later saw riots and arson across the capital. At least 88 people died and nearly 1,900 were injured in clashes between security forces and protesters since April.
The prime minister also clarified the controversial deaths of six people at Pathumwattanaram Temple, showing some video clips to support his denial of accusations by some opposition MPs that it was government troops positioned at the elevated train track who shot the victims.
Mr Abhisit asserted that army personnel observing the situation on BTS Skytrain tracks clashed with an armed group who were on the ground on May 19 between 6-6.30pm.
"I ask for the public to be fair with the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) as there is no reason for army personnel to attack people in the temple as the protest had already ended."
Mr Abhisit added that autopsy results showed that all six victims were shot from ground level, although they were in different positions. Some were standing, other were sitting. Therefore it is impossible they were shot from above. (TNA)
The prime minister made the statement in response to a call from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay who said earlier in a speech to the human rights council, urging the Thai government to "ensure that an independent investigation of recent events be conducted and all those found responsible for human rights violations [should be] held to account.''
Mr Abhisit said his government is approaching a person to chair the panel, adding that the makeup of the panel will become clearer after the two-day censure debate is over.
"Please be assured that I will definitely not influence nor interfere with the investigation," the prime minister said on the second day of the no-confidence debate against him and his five ministers in the House of Representatives.
The political violence has been the main focus of the heated debate, particularly the military operation that forced the Red Shirt leaders to call off their two-month long protest which later saw riots and arson across the capital. At least 88 people died and nearly 1,900 were injured in clashes between security forces and protesters since April.
The prime minister also clarified the controversial deaths of six people at Pathumwattanaram Temple, showing some video clips to support his denial of accusations by some opposition MPs that it was government troops positioned at the elevated train track who shot the victims.
Mr Abhisit asserted that army personnel observing the situation on BTS Skytrain tracks clashed with an armed group who were on the ground on May 19 between 6-6.30pm.
"I ask for the public to be fair with the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) as there is no reason for army personnel to attack people in the temple as the protest had already ended."
Mr Abhisit added that autopsy results showed that all six victims were shot from ground level, although they were in different positions. Some were standing, other were sitting. Therefore it is impossible they were shot from above. (TNA)
