[Re: UA-143-2004: THAILAND: At least 84 people killed in Southern Thailand on 26 October 2004; UP-65-2004: THAILAND: A list of the victims of the mass killing in Narathiwat province; Immediate international intervention needed; UP-25-2005: THAILAND: Three generals found responsible for mass killing transferred without penalty; UP-094-2006: THAILAND: Trial opens against 58 accused in Narathiwat protest; key witnesses for prosecution go missing; UP-126-2006: THAILAND: Trial continues against 58 accused in Narathiwat protest; key witnesses for prosecution absent or ignorant]
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THAILAND: Mass extrajudicial killing; denial of custodial rights; impunity
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VIDEO OF ATTACK ON TAK BAI PROTESTORS ONLINE: http://thailand.ahrchk.net/takbai
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Dear friends,
The second anniversary of the mass killing of 84 persons in southern Thailand is on Wednesday. On 25 October 2004, 6 persons were killed outside the Tak Bai District Police Station in Narathiwat, and another 78 died in army custody. No army or police or government officials have ever been held liable. Instead, 58 protestors have themselves been senselessly prosecuted. This week there are two important events organised in Bangkok to mark the anniversary. The Asian Human Rights Commission urges all persons who can attend to do so.
The interim prime minister of Thailand under the new military junta, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, has himself said that the case against the 58 accused in connection with the Tak Bai protest, which resulted in a massive army crackdown and the deaths in custody, should be dropped. However, there has been no suggestion that action will ever be taken against the officers responsible for the deaths. The government has also declined to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings to investigate the case.
Meanwhile, there are grave fears for some of the persons connected with the case, amid escalating violence in the south: at least one person closely involved in helping the 58 was shot last Friday after receiving a phone call (see AHRC-PL-094-2006; the AHRC will issue an appeal on this case shortly).
For persons who are in Bangkok, we forward the following information from the Working Group on Justice for Peace on two important events on this occasion: a press conference on the night of October 24 and a public seminar on the afternoon of October 25. Both programmes will be conducted in Thai and English.
For further details on the case, see UP-178-2006 and AHRC statements: AS-143-2006; AS-083-2006; AS-039-2005; AS-026-2005; AS-007-2005; AS-064-2004; AS-044-2004; and AS-043-2004. Details can also be found in the report “Rule of law versus the rule of lords in Thailand” (article 2, vol. 4, no. 3, April 2005).
PEACE THROUGH AMNESTY? REFLECTIONS ON JUSTICE IN THE SOUTH ON THE 2nd ANNIVERSARY OF TAK BAI
Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand
Tuesday 24 Oct 2006, 8.00 PM
With the ongoing Peace Talks and possible political reconciliation between the so-called separatist movement and the new interim government, as well as the commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the Tak Bai incident on 25 October 2004, the Working Group on Justice for Peace poses the question whether amnesty is possible.
Will amnesty bring justice and an end to impunity in Southern Thailand? During the past 2 years of exacerbated violence which led to more than 1700 deaths, more than 200 suspects have been facing trials for national security offenses. Among them are 58 Tak Bai protestors on trial now in Narathiwat facing constant delays due to prosecution witnesses not appearing in court. At the same time, inquests examining the 78 deaths at Tak Bai as well as the 106 deaths of the Kru Se incident have been pending for 2 years.
Lawyer Rasada Manurasada, a representative of the Human Rights Committee of the Lawyers Council of Thailand will elaborate on the defense of around 70 national security cases.
Dr. Anantachai Thaipratan, from the Working Group on Justice for Peace-Yala is reflecting on the impact and consequences of injustice in the justice process for the on-going conflict in southern Thailand.
Jon Ungphakorn, a former senator of Prachatai News Agency and Gothom Arya, a National Assembly member, will share their experiences and their perspectives working with the issues related to the Tak Bai case.
Contact: Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, 08-9-451-1459; Angkhana Neelaphaijit, 08-4-728-0350
SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE TAK BAI INCIDENT: ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE THREE SOUTHERNMOST PROVINCES OF THAILAND
Public seminar
Wednesday 25 October 2006
12.30-17.00
Jumpot-Pantip Room, 4th Floor, Prachatipok-Rampaipanee
Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok
12.30 Registration
13.00-13.10
Welcome by Prof. Dr. Amara Pongsapit, Chulalongkorn University
13.10-13.50
Special remarks by Anand Panyarachun, Former Chairperson, National Reconciliation Commission
13.50-14.50
Discussion on justice in the case of Tak Bai and other human rights violation cases:
Representatives of victims, relatives and injured
Mr. Anantachai Thaipratan, Former member of the National Reconciliation Commission, Yala
Ms. Janjira Sombunpunsiri, Peace News Centre
14.50-15.00 Break
15:00
Discussion on access to justice and addressing human rights violations in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand
15:30-16:30
Discussion panel
Opening remarks by Prof. Saneh Chamarik, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Thailand
Panelists:
Mr. Surasri Kosonavin, National Human Rights Commissioner
Mr. Sopon Supapong, Member of the National Assembly of Thailand
Mr. Jon Ungphakorn, Former Senator and Prachatai News agency
Ms. Angkhana Neelaphaijit, Chairperson, Working Group on Justice for Peace
A representative of the Rule of Law and Reconciliation Center
16.00-17:00
Open floor and conclusion
Moderator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chantana Banpasirichote Wankaew, Chulalongkorn University or Pratybjit Neelaphaijit, Youth Network for Peace
Organised by Chulalongkorn University and the Working Group on Justice for Peace
Contact:
Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, Working Group on Justice for Peace, 02-693-4939
Pratubjit Neelaphaijit, Poltical Science, Chulalongkorn University, 02-218-7294
Note: There will be an exhibition and book launch at the Jumpot-Pantip Room, 4th Floor, Prachatipok-Rampaipanee, Political Science, Chulalongkorn University
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
