ID :
35093
Thu, 12/11/2008 - 15:23
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/35093
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UNICEF: Violence in Thailand's far south terrifies local children
UNICEF: Violence Thailand's far south terrifies local children
BANGKOK, Dec 11 (TNA) - A United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) survey showed that children in Thailand's southern border provinces were terrified of violence but were not prejudiced against any particular groups.
UNICEF on Tuesday disclosed its report on the attitude of children in the three southern border provinces where insurgent attacks have taken place since 2004.
The international organisation surveyed 2,357 Buddhist and Muslim children aged seven to 17 years old in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and four districts of nearby Songkhla.
The survey found that children, understandably, were anxious and terrified of danger.
They viewed their lives were at risk and limited by some factors such as travelling to school and playing with friends outside their houses.
Children in the communities in the medium danger zones were mostly terrified of future violent attacks because they learned about rumours, circulating in their communities.
Moreover, the UNICEF studies found that children in violence prone areas had first-hand experience witnessing violence such as beheadings and ambushes.
However, according to the studies, despite their loss of childhood innocence, the children developed no negative attitudes towards other religions and didn't think that religion was the cause of violence in the three southern border provinces.
Although one third of children surveyed said they wanted to take revenge and felt injustice, the UNICEF viewed that was childish perspective, unrelated to the violence because they didn't resent any particular group.
The UNICEF research showed that the violence in the three southern border provinces was not likely to hand down to younger generation. Peace can be restored by focusing on young people.
Asira Dorroetae, 14 from Yala, whose father and uncle were killed in insurgent attacks said the research made her realise her family was not the only one facing this problem. She still hoped peace to be restored if people in communities keep close eye on the situation and give a hand.
Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, adjacent to Malaysia, were a Muslim sultanate until annexed a century ago by predominantly Buddhist Thailand.
Around 80 per cent of people there are Muslim, ethnic Malay racially and speak a Malay dialect.
The violence has ranged from drive-by shootings and bombings to beheadings, and appears to target both Buddhists and Muslims associated with the Thai state, such as police, soldiers, government officials and
teachers.
Since erupting in 2004, the violence has left more than 3,500 people dead so far. (TNA)
BANGKOK, Dec 11 (TNA) - A United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) survey showed that children in Thailand's southern border provinces were terrified of violence but were not prejudiced against any particular groups.
UNICEF on Tuesday disclosed its report on the attitude of children in the three southern border provinces where insurgent attacks have taken place since 2004.
The international organisation surveyed 2,357 Buddhist and Muslim children aged seven to 17 years old in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala and four districts of nearby Songkhla.
The survey found that children, understandably, were anxious and terrified of danger.
They viewed their lives were at risk and limited by some factors such as travelling to school and playing with friends outside their houses.
Children in the communities in the medium danger zones were mostly terrified of future violent attacks because they learned about rumours, circulating in their communities.
Moreover, the UNICEF studies found that children in violence prone areas had first-hand experience witnessing violence such as beheadings and ambushes.
However, according to the studies, despite their loss of childhood innocence, the children developed no negative attitudes towards other religions and didn't think that religion was the cause of violence in the three southern border provinces.
Although one third of children surveyed said they wanted to take revenge and felt injustice, the UNICEF viewed that was childish perspective, unrelated to the violence because they didn't resent any particular group.
The UNICEF research showed that the violence in the three southern border provinces was not likely to hand down to younger generation. Peace can be restored by focusing on young people.
Asira Dorroetae, 14 from Yala, whose father and uncle were killed in insurgent attacks said the research made her realise her family was not the only one facing this problem. She still hoped peace to be restored if people in communities keep close eye on the situation and give a hand.
Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, adjacent to Malaysia, were a Muslim sultanate until annexed a century ago by predominantly Buddhist Thailand.
Around 80 per cent of people there are Muslim, ethnic Malay racially and speak a Malay dialect.
The violence has ranged from drive-by shootings and bombings to beheadings, and appears to target both Buddhists and Muslims associated with the Thai state, such as police, soldiers, government officials and
teachers.
Since erupting in 2004, the violence has left more than 3,500 people dead so far. (TNA)
