ID :
40732
Wed, 01/14/2009 - 21:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/40732
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Thai PM: Govt opposes using force against insurgent suspects
BANGKOK, Jan 14 (TNA) - Defending Thailand against charges lodged by London-based human rights group Amnesty International, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday his government had no intention to use violence against insurgent suspects apprehended in deep South.
The charges by Amnesty International must be investigated regarding their reliability, Mr. Abhisit said, while admitting that there might be some cases of using excessive force by state officials against arrested suspects but he affirmed such violence was "not the government's policy and they should not be used."
A fair judgement should be made, he said. The government would be fair in solving the continuing violence in the deep South.
His remarks were made after Amnesty International on Tuesday issued a new report charging that Thai security officials engaged in systematic torture including beatings and electric shock.
"The insurgents in southern Thailand have engaged in brutal acts, but nothing justifies the security forces' reliance on torture," said Donna Guest, deputy director of Amnesty's Asia-Pacific programme. "The government must stop torture and bring the torturers to justice."
More than 3,500 people have been killed since renewed violence erupted five years ago in Thailand's four southernmost provinces -- Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
The Cabinet on Tuesday established a committee tasked with developing the four provinces, as well as nearby Satun province, as Mr. Abhisit explained that the programme should be considered as the government's offensive as it would reach the people in the troubled region with high principles, understanding and development.
Previous governments had neglected and left problems to be solved by police and army, although problems should be jointly solved by agencies concerned for the sake of solidarity, Mr. Abhisit said.
In order to obtain firsthand information, Mr. Abhisit and the mainly ministerial members of the committee formed on Tuesday will travel to Yala this Saturday to be briefed on problems prevailing in the region.
Mr. Abhisit said he plans to meet and exchange views with human rights groups at a later date. (TNA)
The charges by Amnesty International must be investigated regarding their reliability, Mr. Abhisit said, while admitting that there might be some cases of using excessive force by state officials against arrested suspects but he affirmed such violence was "not the government's policy and they should not be used."
A fair judgement should be made, he said. The government would be fair in solving the continuing violence in the deep South.
His remarks were made after Amnesty International on Tuesday issued a new report charging that Thai security officials engaged in systematic torture including beatings and electric shock.
"The insurgents in southern Thailand have engaged in brutal acts, but nothing justifies the security forces' reliance on torture," said Donna Guest, deputy director of Amnesty's Asia-Pacific programme. "The government must stop torture and bring the torturers to justice."
More than 3,500 people have been killed since renewed violence erupted five years ago in Thailand's four southernmost provinces -- Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
The Cabinet on Tuesday established a committee tasked with developing the four provinces, as well as nearby Satun province, as Mr. Abhisit explained that the programme should be considered as the government's offensive as it would reach the people in the troubled region with high principles, understanding and development.
Previous governments had neglected and left problems to be solved by police and army, although problems should be jointly solved by agencies concerned for the sake of solidarity, Mr. Abhisit said.
In order to obtain firsthand information, Mr. Abhisit and the mainly ministerial members of the committee formed on Tuesday will travel to Yala this Saturday to be briefed on problems prevailing in the region.
Mr. Abhisit said he plans to meet and exchange views with human rights groups at a later date. (TNA)
