ID :
126112
Sat, 06/05/2010 - 12:14
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/126112
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Human Rights Watch: Protesters may return if facts behind violence not disclosed
BANGKOK, June 5 (TNA) -- If facts behind the clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in the Thai capital in mid-May are not properly disclosed and accepted, the ‘Red Shirt’ demonstrators would return to the streets, said Sunai Pasuk, Thailand representative of US-based Human Rights Watch.
Mr Sunai said a representative of Human Rights Watch from the group's headquarters would cooperate with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in investigating the incidents related to the violent clashes between government troops and protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) which ended May 19 after key UDD leaders surrendered to authorities, but which were followed by massive burnings of buildings, looting and rioting in central Bangkok.
The facts must be disclosed and they will reflect as a mirror for both sides to see 'who had done what' during the unrest, said Mr Sunai.
He said if the real facts behind the violence could not be disclosed or accepted then the ‘Red Shirt’ protesters will “return and this time more violence could be expected as they would want to take revenge.”
Chairperson Amara Pongsapich of the NHRC said after a meeting Friday that 10 working committee groups had been formed to probe the latest UDD demonstration in Bangkok which began March 12 until they dispersed from the capital's streets May 19-20, as well as the imposition of the State of Emergency by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on April 7 and the killings of six people inside a Buddhist temple near the rally site.
Altogether 10 issues will be tackled by the working committee groups, said Mrs Amara. She expressed concern that the investigation may not be completed within the 120-day deadline.
Results of the investigation will be forwarded to a NHRC sub-committee before being submitted to the office, she added. (TNA)
Mr Sunai said a representative of Human Rights Watch from the group's headquarters would cooperate with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in investigating the incidents related to the violent clashes between government troops and protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) which ended May 19 after key UDD leaders surrendered to authorities, but which were followed by massive burnings of buildings, looting and rioting in central Bangkok.
The facts must be disclosed and they will reflect as a mirror for both sides to see 'who had done what' during the unrest, said Mr Sunai.
He said if the real facts behind the violence could not be disclosed or accepted then the ‘Red Shirt’ protesters will “return and this time more violence could be expected as they would want to take revenge.”
Chairperson Amara Pongsapich of the NHRC said after a meeting Friday that 10 working committee groups had been formed to probe the latest UDD demonstration in Bangkok which began March 12 until they dispersed from the capital's streets May 19-20, as well as the imposition of the State of Emergency by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on April 7 and the killings of six people inside a Buddhist temple near the rally site.
Altogether 10 issues will be tackled by the working committee groups, said Mrs Amara. She expressed concern that the investigation may not be completed within the 120-day deadline.
Results of the investigation will be forwarded to a NHRC sub-committee before being submitted to the office, she added. (TNA)
