The office of the Working Group on Justice for Peace Pattani was searched by a group of 20 police and army officers in the early hours of February 8. The officers arrived in three pick-up trucks and were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Pravej Sudhiprapha who stated that the search was conducted under Martial Law legislation upon information that militants were seen in the area. At the time, two volunteers of WGJP were staying at the office and they were asked to show their ID cards and were interrogated by the officers about activities at the office. The officers were searching the office for approximately three hours inspecting data within the computers and taking photos of materials. The officers then left without taking anything with them. The volunteers reported that the search went on peacefully and principally.
Coincidentally, it was reported in the Bangkok Post on 7 February 2009 that “many human rights and student activists have now gone to the South to meet local residents and gain first-hand information about the operations of security officers, particularly regarding the arrests of suspected insurgents. Isoc warned that southern militants may take the opportunity to disguise themselves as rights activists in order to incite hatred against officials or distort information to create misunderstanding about security operations among locals.” (Full text of article reproduced below.)
WGJP is deeply concerned about this incident as well as the news reports as it could be understood among civil society as a threat to human rights defenders working in the three southern provinces. The claims made in the newspaper discredit the work of human rights activists who have gained trust by the local population having provided them with a channel to voice their grievances and report violations of their rights. These threatening activities undermine peacebuilding efforts in the South and further incite mistrust of the officials. Human rights defenders play a vital role in protecting human rights and establishing rule of law in the South.
WGJP recently published a report on the situation of human rights defenders which clearly elaborated upon the threats faced by defenders and the need for protection. Within the report, WGJP urged the government to ensure that “public officials refrain from making statements that stigmatize human rights defenders or suggest that human rights organizations act improperly or illegally.” In this light, WGJP calls upon the government and the army, particularly the Army Chief and 4th Army Chief to:
1. Stop operations that threaten and undermine the work of human rights defenders and respect the valuable work of them.
2. Ensure the intelligence unit under ISOC has clear evidence before accusing individuals or organizations of wrongdoing as it would otherwise be perceived as a threat and attempt to manipulate the work of human rights defenders.
3. In case evidence was found to prove that militants disguise themselves as rights activists, to investigate and bring suspects to court as soon as possible.
4. Respect and implement the international laws, including its obligation to protect human rights defenders, that Thailand has ratified as stated in article 82 paragraph 1 of the present Constitution.
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For further information contact:
Angkhana Neelaphaijit: 084 728 0350
Puttanee Kangkun: 086 332 1249
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ISOC WARNS OF MILITANT PLOTS
Bangkok Post Published: 7/02/2009 at 12:00 AM
The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 has warned that southern rebels may disguise themselves as rights activists to incite hatred among local residents against government officials.
Isoc issued its warning during a meeting of the peace-building council yesterday, said a source.
In its report, Isoc said many human rights and student activists have now gone to the South to meet local residents and gain first-hand information about the operations of security officers, particularly regarding the arrests of suspected insurgents.
Isoc warned that southern militants may take the opportunity to disguise themselves as rights activists in order to incite hatred against officials or distort information to create misunderstanding about security operations among locals.
According to the Isoc report, a total of 85 violent attacks took place in the deep South in January alone, claiming 44 lives and injuring 79.
Pattani suffered the highest number of violent attacks, followed by Narathiwat, Yala and Songkhla.
The source said rebels had tried to carry out violent attacks on economic targets in the South. Many explosives were reportedly hidden in border areas.
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