Statement of National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
Condemning the Use of Violence and Acts of Violence, Cruelty and Inhumanity
against Innocent People and Government Officials in the Deep South Provinces

National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) has expressed grave concern regarding the violent situations recently occurred in the Deep South provinces and also monitored these situations consistently, especially the use of violence against innocent people with weapons of war. The acts of violence, cruelty and inhumanity are perpetrated. Deadly bombs are used in public places. Children and women are killed by weapons of war, and the dead bodies are destroyed. These incidents cause the loss of live and bodies of innocent people and keep the society as a whole depressed.

Despite the fact that it is the Holy Month of Ramadan, violent incidents have continued in the Deep South area.  There are two sutdents of Sirindhorn Health College killed by firearms at the flea market of Yaha district, Yala Province on July 9, 2014 at 15.00. There is also another violent incident occured on July 10, 2014 at 22.45, in which policemen are ambushed by the terrorists while returning from a visit to a mosque during the Ramadan together with local people from a local mosque of Krong Penang, Yala province, causing death of two policemen, injuries of many people and loss of property. As appeared in the news, such incidents bring the depression and horror to the society due to the acts of violence, cruelty, illegality and inhumanity.

The NHRCT would like to express profound condolences to the victims and their families. Therefore, the NHRCT, which has its role and duties in promoting the respect in accordance with human rights principles and protecting the respect of inviolable of rights and freedom, has strongly condemned all acts of violence, cruelty and inhumanity against the principles of all religion. In particular, these violent incidents have occurred by neglecting the Holy Month of Ramadan of the Muslim.

The NHRCT has suggested that all parties consider and take the following action;

1. The NHRCT requests the actors of violence to end all means of violence against others and strongly condemns such acts of violence because they do not only severely infringe human rights, but also commit the illegal and inhuman acts as well.

2. The NHRCT requests the Government agencies, such as Internal Security Operation Command Region 4, Royal Thai Police and Security Agencies, which are responsible for the implementation of measures, to strictly maintain peace and order of people in the local area. The innocent people should be protected by the Government officials to ensure their confidence and safety in life, body and property. Public cooperation is needed for the maintenance of peace, public order, prevention and precaution systems to create a peacefull livehood.  The investigation process that brings the perpetrators to trial should be accelerated to ensure the confidence and peacefull livelihood of the people.

3. Public and all sectors of communities should take part in monitoring and being alert to all harm and danger affecting life, body and property resulting from the unrest situations. In this respect, if all sectors have cooperation and seek peaceful means of living as Thai citizen, there will be a huge driving force to accomplish the implementation of the measures and means of problem - solving.

4. The relevant agencies should fully provide medical aids and care to the wounded people and moral support to their staff members and the local residents.

5. The Government and relevant agencies should accelerate their assistance, remedies both in financial and psychological assistance to the victims and families of the violent incidents immediately and fairly.

Therefore, the NHRCT shall monitor the situations and the performance of the relevant agencies in providing assistance and remedies. The NHRCT will coordinate with the relevant agencies for providing further assistance and remedies in accordance with the guidelines, and will monitor the violations of human rights in the Deep South provinces of Thailand together with conducting a report to the public later.

National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
12 July 2014
 

12/07/2014