ID :
139458
Thu, 08/26/2010 - 19:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/139458
The shortlink copeid
PM Abhisit welcomes proposed lifting of Emergency Decree in restive South
BANGKOK, Aug 26 - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday that he agrees with the proposed lifting of the state of emergency in Thailand's insurgency-torn southern border provinces and replace it with the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the area as advised by the national reform committee.
The premier commented after a working group of the national reform committee led by respected scholar Prawase Wasi proposed the government revoke the emergency decree in the three southernmost border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
Mr Abhisit said the suggestion is interesting as it is what the government has been trying to do.
The premier said he has told concerned agencies to assess the situation in the three provinces and review the imposition of the Emergency Decree in some areas which are less affected by the insurgency.
The National Security Council (NSC) is now evaluating the situation to determine where the lifting of the state of emergency should begin, he said, adding that the government is also studying Article 21 of the ISA which allows suspected insurgents to surrender to authorities and not be prosecuted if they are found to have committed their acts out of wrong beliefs or a lack of knowledge.
Mr Abhisit however said that Article 21 not only involves executive power, but also that of the judiciary and that the Ministry of Justice is now working with concerned agencies to apply the law.
The prime minister reaffirmed that the ISA and Article 21 will replace the Emergency Decree once it is revoked in the southern border region.
More than 4,100 people have died since insurgency-related incidents resumed in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat in 2004, with more complicated and more violent attacks.
The Emergency Decree has been enforced in the three provinces since mid-2005 to maintain order and has been extended until present. The security law allows security personnel to detain presumed insurgents for an initial period of 30 days. (MCOT online news)
The premier commented after a working group of the national reform committee led by respected scholar Prawase Wasi proposed the government revoke the emergency decree in the three southernmost border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat.
Mr Abhisit said the suggestion is interesting as it is what the government has been trying to do.
The premier said he has told concerned agencies to assess the situation in the three provinces and review the imposition of the Emergency Decree in some areas which are less affected by the insurgency.
The National Security Council (NSC) is now evaluating the situation to determine where the lifting of the state of emergency should begin, he said, adding that the government is also studying Article 21 of the ISA which allows suspected insurgents to surrender to authorities and not be prosecuted if they are found to have committed their acts out of wrong beliefs or a lack of knowledge.
Mr Abhisit however said that Article 21 not only involves executive power, but also that of the judiciary and that the Ministry of Justice is now working with concerned agencies to apply the law.
The prime minister reaffirmed that the ISA and Article 21 will replace the Emergency Decree once it is revoked in the southern border region.
More than 4,100 people have died since insurgency-related incidents resumed in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat in 2004, with more complicated and more violent attacks.
The Emergency Decree has been enforced in the three provinces since mid-2005 to maintain order and has been extended until present. The security law allows security personnel to detain presumed insurgents for an initial period of 30 days. (MCOT online news)
