ID :
41482
Mon, 01/19/2009 - 14:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/41482
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Thai PM meets rights NGO; Defence Ministry to probe Myanmar migrant abuse charges
BANGKOK, Jan 19 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva met Monday with top Thai human rights activists and gave assurances that Thai officials had not abused Muslim migrants from Myanmar.
At about the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban ordered Thailand's defence minister to investigate accusations regarding alleged maltreatment of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority group and to report to the prime minister.
Human rights groups have accused the Thai navy of forcing the Rohingyas back into the Andaman Sea on a boat with no engine and limited food and water supplies.
After meeting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House, Somchai Homla-or, chairperson of the Campaign Committee for Human Rights, said Mr.Abhisit clarified that the concerned state agencies had assured him that they did not use force to coerce the migrants, but had treated them in a humane manner.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gothom Arya, director of the Mahidol University Research Centre for Peace Building, said both the prime minister and Fourth Army Region Commander Lt-Gen. Pichet Visaichorn, reiterated that an investigation must be carried out to find out whether or not the alleged human rights violations had been committed by operational level officers or units under their command.
Prof. Gotham quoted the premier as saying that Thailand had signed the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which does not allow any inhumane act.
According to initial reports, Mr. Suthep said, the navy had not abused the asylum seekers from Myanmar, but he allowed that a number of photographs were published in both electronic and print media, and that the investigation would verify the facts in the matter.
Deputy Premier Suthep said he did not believe that the Thai naval personnel had committed such abuse because Thais are kind and humane.
Asked if the allegations affect Thailand's image among the international communities, he said only the truth matters. If it's not true, it will not cause damage.(TNA)
At about the same time, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban ordered Thailand's defence minister to investigate accusations regarding alleged maltreatment of Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority group and to report to the prime minister.
Human rights groups have accused the Thai navy of forcing the Rohingyas back into the Andaman Sea on a boat with no engine and limited food and water supplies.
After meeting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House, Somchai Homla-or, chairperson of the Campaign Committee for Human Rights, said Mr.Abhisit clarified that the concerned state agencies had assured him that they did not use force to coerce the migrants, but had treated them in a humane manner.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gothom Arya, director of the Mahidol University Research Centre for Peace Building, said both the prime minister and Fourth Army Region Commander Lt-Gen. Pichet Visaichorn, reiterated that an investigation must be carried out to find out whether or not the alleged human rights violations had been committed by operational level officers or units under their command.
Prof. Gotham quoted the premier as saying that Thailand had signed the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which does not allow any inhumane act.
According to initial reports, Mr. Suthep said, the navy had not abused the asylum seekers from Myanmar, but he allowed that a number of photographs were published in both electronic and print media, and that the investigation would verify the facts in the matter.
Deputy Premier Suthep said he did not believe that the Thai naval personnel had committed such abuse because Thais are kind and humane.
Asked if the allegations affect Thailand's image among the international communities, he said only the truth matters. If it's not true, it will not cause damage.(TNA)
