Thais Human Rights Worse Under Thaksin

[george]

Watchdog says Thai rights worse under Thaksin

BANGKOK: -- Human rights abuses have worsened in Thailand over the past three years in an increasing "culture of authoritarianism" under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a state panel says in a stinging report.

The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, set up by parliament in 2001, said in its first report that human rights abuses had been worst in Thaksin's "war on drugs" last year, in which more than 2,500 people were killed.

"Thailand is regressing worryingly to a culture of authoritarianism, instead of progressing to a culture of human rights," the commission said in the 230-page report on Wednesday.

"The worst case is extra-judicial killings in the war on drugs which destroyed the rights to live of more than 2,500 people without fair trials under the principle of democracy," it said.

Thaksin, a self-described "CEO-style" leader whose critics accuse him of strong authoritarian tendencies, says most of those killed in the crackdown on drugs were dealers murdered by other dealers.

Thai and foreign rights groups had already accused police of killing suspected drug dealers during the 10-month campaign last year.

The human rights commission, which has no powers beyond making investigations and writing reports, will send its report to parliament and Thaksin.

--Reuters 2004-08-04

[ovenman]

The human rights commission, which has no powers beyond making investigations and writing reports, will send its report to parliament and Thaksin.

...where it will be summarily dismissed by the powers-that-be as yet more blathering by people who don't know what they are talking about and who should in any event, mind their own business and leave the business of governing to Mr. Big.

[rod_kalashnikov]

 

[kat]

uh, Rod, I'm not sure how you can state that with such certainity, since the police and state cannot even assert this with certainity. It's already been reported tht many innocent people were added to a slovenly compiled list out of jealousy or revenge, and more than 200 people have loved ones that were killed for no reason.

There were no post-mortem investigations, and furthermore, the police are not even equipped to handle traffic lights, never mind making a decison about who lives and dies, especially when many of them probably benefitted a great deal about who lived and died.

Drug dealers also deserve a trial, under the rule of law, not the gun. If they or anyone else don't deserve the rule of law, then who is to say that you or I deserve it, or many of the innocent poor Thais and hilltribe people that died?

[meemiathai]

Although I agree with you, kat, I would have to say that every system has its pros and cons. If the big boss(Thaksin) is to consider the human rights issue, a lot of the major vilains would've find their way out. The big boss would've wanted to eradicate the drug dealers only, but how possible is it for him to actually monitor the whole process.

BTW, how the heck did those 200 innocent people get involved? Were they just having a jog in Lumpini Park or having a walk in Sukumvit?

[ovenman]

If the big boss(Thaksin) is to consider the human rights issue, a lot of the major vilains would've find their way out.

Was even one major villain eradicated in last year's big purge? Seems like they intentionally targeted only small fish and left the various vested interests in-place and untouched.

[Lioneric]

If we believe in ghost then those innocent human souls will huanted those who will be responsible to open fire until they will rest in peace.Drugs trafficking is a death sentence according to Thai laws but not before investigation either police are killing the right person or just simply a mistake?Sometimes human life are worst then an animal.

[kat]

Although I agree with you, kat, I would have to say that every system has its pros and cons. If the big boss(Thaksin) is to consider the human rights issue, a lot of the major vilains would've find their way out. The big boss would've wanted to eradicate the drug dealers only, but how possible is it for him to actually monitor the whole process.

BTW, how the heck did those 200 innocent people get involved? Were they just having a jog in Lumpini Park or having a walk in Sukumvit?

I read in the papers that more than 200 people are suing the governement for compensation because their loved ones were wrongly shot down. And these are just people with the nerve to come forward.

It also appeared in the Nation and BKK Post that the police compiled a list of alleged drug dealers from tambon officials and residents. Many of these were revenge killings for no reason other than jealousy and disturbed logic. For example, one household was put on the list because they were accused of being "unusually wealthy" but had actually won the lottery and didn't tell their neighbors because they didn't want to make anyone jealous. I guess they didn't have to try.

[plachon]

Thai and foreign rights groups had already accused police of killing suspected drug dealers during the 10-month campaign last year.

Human Rights my arse! The bastards shot "resisting arrest" or "trying to escape" weren't suspected drug dealers, they were confirmed drug producers and dealers ... many of whom were known to have been under police "protection" for years! They had no Human Rights!

Let's hope no one ever slips a bag of grass into your bag before a police search, eh, Rod?

Don't know what your concept of "human rights" is, but rights to a fair investigation, trial and simply, life are pretty basic ones in most people's books, I'd say. The fact, that this report comes from the Thai National Human Rights Commission, means it carries all the more weight locally, and follows concern expressed by the UN Human Right's committee last year, which prompted Mr Big to say, something like "The United Nations is not my father". In other words, human rights to not figure high in this person's priorities, so it looks like a case of "snap" for Rod.

[paulsenp]

Just a thought, but many of those killings might have happened because the police didn't want to have their own sources of income revealed in court.

[george]

Thai PM hits back at human rights criticism

BANGKOK:-- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra rebuked the National Human Rights Commission on Thursday for a scathing verdict that his three years in power have spawned a "culture of authoritarianism".

"The Commission should have made constructive comments, not acted like the opposition," Thaksin told reporters. "Such a reprimanding report has been dispatched all over the world. Do they feel that the country isn't already damaged?"

In particular, the 11-member commission laid into Thaksin for his 2003 "war on drugs" in which 2,500 people were killed. Brushing aside past criticism, the government insists most of the deaths were internecine drug gang reprisals.

The Bangkok Post and the Nation splashed the three-year-old parliamentary body's blistering verdict across their front pages.

But elsewhere in the Thai media, the commission's inaugural report -- which also levelled accusations of media interference through "networks of cronies" -- was more noticeable for its absence.

The mass circulation Thai Rath tabloid made no mention of the report, while the ITV news channel, set up in 1990s as a neutral and national information source, touched only briefly on the subject and declined to delve into its conclusions or findings.

Analysts said the report did not contain many new findings or criticisms, but said the coverage it produced reflected the control the former telecoms tycoon has managed to exert over the media since coming to power in 2001.

"The government has been very shrewd in politicising, co-opting, coercing and weasling the Thai-language press," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a former Nation journalist and now a political analyst at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.

"There has not been a democratic period in which the media and public space have been so monopolised and manipulated," he said.

VICTORY ASSURED

Despite an economically damaging bird flu crisis and the eruption of violence in the mainly Muslim south this year, Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) political faction remains wildly popular.

Sucking up politicians from smaller parties, it is virtually assured a thumping majority in elections due early next year on the back of sweeping populist policies which have divided or neutralised any opposition voices, analysts say.

Promises of lavish handouts and soft loans to rural folk -- 60 percent of Thailand's 63 million people live on the farm -- have created a strong Thaksin support base outside the wealthy urban centres.

They have also stymied opposition from non-governmental groups by convincing them Thaksin has the plight of the poor at heart, said Giles Ungphakorn, an associate professor at Chulalongkorn University.

"The social movements are in a state of shock," Ungphakorn said. "They don't know how to come to terms with this government. They don't know how to analyse the populist measures, which go hand in hand with a degree of repression."

--Reuters 2004-08-04

[ovenman]

"The Commission should have made constructive comments, not acted like the opposition," Thaksin told reporters. "Such a reprimanding report has been dispatched all over the world. Do they feel that the country isn't already damaged?"

In other words, if you don't have anything nice to say-don't say anything at all!

[Aussie]

"The Commission should have made constructive comments, not acted like the opposition," Thaksin told reporters. "Such a reprimanding report has been dispatched all over the world. Do they feel that the country isn't already damaged?"

In other words, if you don't have anything nice to say-don't say anything at all!

he he, the intrinsic value of news is totally irrelevant for those with a PhD in criminal justice, don't mention the truth is our dear leader's advice.

[mickmac]

Until the major powers in the region stop doing buisness with Thailand, and especially Thaksin's companies, then he is going to continue to thumb his nose at all and sundry.

The Thai people love him, because of the nationalistic stance and the belief that he is doing his all for Thailand,(when in fact it appears that his whole being and effort is put into how he can improve the lot of Shin Industies and that of his close family.)

The stranglehold over the media prevents showing anything detrimental to the T-R-T- party but there appears to be no viable opposition either.

How long will it take the Thai people to realise that Thaksin has moved into the role of dictator? One can only hope the Thai Royal Family can see him for what he is or what he may become.

[Aussie]

How long will it take the Thai people to realise that Thaksin has moved into the role of dictator? One can only hope the Thai Royal Family can see him for what he is or what he may become.

The honorable king of Thailand approves every cabinet reshuffle from the government.

[Rhys]

Well the Thai people will need to change.. apathy is the way ... TS has used it.

Nothing changes.... Thai history. psychology.. The western educated Thai. finds and rapes his own.. in the name of profit and and educated society. The critics.. get press.. nothing changes.. name calling, law suits. MPs flee.. a certain MP captain sanctions his sons to rape/kill/raveage and burn in the guise of a honest mistakes..This is Thailand dudes.. Gotta love it.. nothing changes.. hand in your cards.. The TS is going to do what he does.. and the people will take it up the butt.

Belly aches..fat general wannabe be...honor lacking..go after the reporters with lock and load clips... nothing changes. That's up the butt..

Human rights.. Human rights.. Thai people ... the ones that need to .. are resigned to do nothing. Because that's up the butt.

The hard working Thai.. the normal folks.. you know the coworker.. are programmed to think this way.. OH.. I'm Thai and this is the way we do it.

Up the butt.. SO.. UP the Butt is how they want it. Up the but is how it shall be.

Don't say that.. I'm Thai.

And the rest will deal with it.. Smile, laugh, and then go on our marry way.. and get back to Thai visa forums.. for up to date skinny on whatever.. That's up the butr.And that is the way it is going to be..

NOwwhat you gonna do is go into the BR.. W-OFF

That's all you gonna do.. now stand to.

Thailand. it is the way it should be.. FREE, FEE, FAST and FREE..

LONG LIVE the writer

[Aussie]

You're stil on medication Mark?

[Rhys]

One po Q12h PRN PAIN.... MRX1