ID :
127207
Thu, 06/10/2010 - 18:43
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/127207
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Panel to reopen investigation of Thaksin-linked extrajudicial killings of drug suspects
BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) -- Thailand's Ministry of Justice will nominate candidates to a 10-member committee for Cabinet approval after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ordered reinstatement of the panel to investigate the alleged extrajudicial killings of drug suspects during the Thaksin administration's war on drugs in 2003, according to Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga.
Mr Pirapan said he will submit a list of the recommended composition of the committee, including its chairman, to the Cabinet for approval on June 15 at its weekly meeting. The panel will continue the
work of a committee chaired by former attorney-general Kanit Na Nakorn who was recently appointed to chair an independent probe of recent clashes between security forces and anti-government Red Shirt protesters, he said.
Mr Kanit's fact-finding committee was appointed after at least 89 people were killed and nearly 1,200 were wounded during the clashes between security forces and protesters of the United Front for Democracy against dictatorship (UDD) which intensified their anti-government campaigns since March 14, with each side blaming
the other for causing heavy casualties.
The minister said former attorney general Kampee Kaewcharoen will be proposed to chair the panel and some of the members are already panel members and some human rights protection campaigners would be included in the reinstated committee.
Mr Pirapan said he believed the investigation by the new committee would not take long as they would work on top of the 80 per cent progress of their predecessors. However, he could not say whether the new committee would investigate related issues or not.
During the post-military coup government of Gen Surayud Chulanont, a panel was appointed to probe the alleged extrajudicial killings of some 2,500 people during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration's war on drugs in 2003.
Mr Kanit was named to head the investigation which has not yet provided any findings indicating persons responsible for the killings.
The committee found that as many as 1,400 of the 2,500 killed had no link to drugs but it failed to establish substantial evidence to press charge against anyone with the murders.
The panel’s tenure expired before it could complete its findings when Gen Surayud's government had finished its tasks following general election and the People Power Party-led coalition governments of Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat did not follow up the probe.
Mr Thaksin's anti-drug approach was widely criticised by the international community and human rights organisations. (TNA)
Mr Pirapan said he will submit a list of the recommended composition of the committee, including its chairman, to the Cabinet for approval on June 15 at its weekly meeting. The panel will continue the
work of a committee chaired by former attorney-general Kanit Na Nakorn who was recently appointed to chair an independent probe of recent clashes between security forces and anti-government Red Shirt protesters, he said.
Mr Kanit's fact-finding committee was appointed after at least 89 people were killed and nearly 1,200 were wounded during the clashes between security forces and protesters of the United Front for Democracy against dictatorship (UDD) which intensified their anti-government campaigns since March 14, with each side blaming
the other for causing heavy casualties.
The minister said former attorney general Kampee Kaewcharoen will be proposed to chair the panel and some of the members are already panel members and some human rights protection campaigners would be included in the reinstated committee.
Mr Pirapan said he believed the investigation by the new committee would not take long as they would work on top of the 80 per cent progress of their predecessors. However, he could not say whether the new committee would investigate related issues or not.
During the post-military coup government of Gen Surayud Chulanont, a panel was appointed to probe the alleged extrajudicial killings of some 2,500 people during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration's war on drugs in 2003.
Mr Kanit was named to head the investigation which has not yet provided any findings indicating persons responsible for the killings.
The committee found that as many as 1,400 of the 2,500 killed had no link to drugs but it failed to establish substantial evidence to press charge against anyone with the murders.
The panel’s tenure expired before it could complete its findings when Gen Surayud's government had finished its tasks following general election and the People Power Party-led coalition governments of Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat did not follow up the probe.
Mr Thaksin's anti-drug approach was widely criticised by the international community and human rights organisations. (TNA)
