Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva assured Thai human rights groups of the government’s intention to clear all cases concerning alleged human rights violations including maltreatment of Rohingya boat people.

Mr Abhisit gave the assurance during his meeting with members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) including Somchai Homla-or, chairman of the Campaign for Human Rights, Angkhana Neelapaichit, a human rights advocate, and Gothom Arya, director of Mahidol University’s peace study centre who called on him at Government House.

Mr Somchai said after the meeting that the NHRC urged the government to be patient and refrain from use of violence in solving problems because social conflict in the past always led to human rights violation, and the prime minister was open to all suggestions.

Concerning the situation in the South, Mr Abhisit is interested in an Amnesty International’s report on systematic torture and beating up of suspects.  Moreover, the government wants to limit use of special laws, including the law for administration in emergency situation and martial law, in the three troubled southern border provinces, Mr Somchai said.

According to Mr Somchai, the prime minister vowed to use these laws only as necessary.

Mr Abhisit also promised to push for agencies concerned to look into all human rights violation cases on which little progress has been made during the past four to five years.  They include the cases on drug-related killings and assassination of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaichit.

Concerning allegations that the navy had ill-treated Rohingya boat people, Mr Abhit said he has ordered all agencies concerned to investigate, said Mr Somchai.  The NHRC urged the government to clarify this case to set a precedence regarding democratic development and human rights promotion to other countries in the region, he added.

Mr Gothom, meanwhile, said he urged the government to clear this matter.  On an observation raised by the military that the illegal entry of the Rohingya boat people might be for some clandestine activities that might affect national security, Mr Gothom said no matter what the real motive might be Thai authorities are duty-bound to adhere to the human rights principle and guarantee safety for them.

Since photos of the Rohingyas having their hands and feet tied up are evidence of human rights violation, the government should investigate to see if Thai authorities had overacted, Mr Gothom said.

Date: 19 January 2009

Source: Bangkok Post