Statement of the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) condemning the use of violence and inhumane act against the police officers and innocent people in the southern border provinces

The NHRCT is extremely concerned over the ongoing violence in the southern border provinces and has been monitoring the situation from the start. Of particular concern is the use of war weapons against innocent people, the cruel and inhumane acts such as the use of grenades in community areas, the use of war weapons to murder children and women and in assaults on state officers. These incidents have not only caused loss of life and injuries to innocent people but also misery to those who witnessed and the public at large. The NHRCT would like to express its deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and their families.

A bomb explosion was reported on 18 February 2016 at approximately 8.10 a.m. in the area of Kapho district, Pattani Province. The explosion injured two police officers from a special operations unit of Pattnani Provincial Police (Special unit 33) and caused injuries to innocent people, including a seven-year-old boy, a twelve-year-old girl and a woman. The public has been distressed by this cruel and inhumane act.

The NHRCT has a responsibility to promote respect and compliance with human rights norms and to protect the right to life and body, which cannot be violated. The NHRCT condemns this cruel and inhuman act and would like to give our encouragement to the authorities who had sacrificed and acted with bravery in order to protect our nation. The NHRCT, therefore  would like to recommend all parties concerned to take the following actions:
 Those who have abused human rights and committed violent and inhuman acts must immediately stop as the said acts violated human rights and were also considered as illegal and inhuman.  

The NHRCT urges the government, the Internal Security Operations Command region4, the Royal Thai Police and other security agencies to expedite the investigation. If the wrongdoer should be prosecuted according to the law, this will reassure and give confidence to the public.

The government and relevant agencies must expedite support and providing prompt and fair compensation as well as mental rehabilitation programs to the police officers and citizens who were affected by the incident including their family members.

The public and all sectors of the community must remain alert and be aware of all dangers that might affect their life and properties resulting from the violence in the area. They should also seek solutions and find ways to live together as Thais in peace.
The NHRCT will continue to monitor and follow up the actions of relevant agencies in assisting the victims in accordance with the rules.

We will also continue to investigate the acts of human rights abuse in the Southern provinces and will keep the public updated in due course.

  National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
20 February 2016
 

20/02/2016