Emergency decree renewed in Thailand's southern region

Emergency decree renewed in Thailand's southern region

2010-10-19 21:20:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK, THAILAND (BNO NEWS) -- The government of Thailand on Tuesday renewed the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations in its three southern regions which have been plagued by violence, officials said.

The emergency decree, which was first introduced 5 years ago, takes effect in the three southernmost provinces - Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat - for another three months, from October 20 to January 19, 2011.

The government noted that before the emergency decree in the far South would expire, it would consider extending the special law only in areas where unrest continues.

"The policy of my government is not to create conditions that could provoke more violence by allowing the authorities to abuse the law," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said, as a number of rights activists have criticized the decree, saying it gives military forces legal immunity.

Separatist groups in the southern regions, which are for a majority Muslim, have brought constant and violent uprisings in the region for the past 6 years. Over 4,000 people have died and more than 7,000 others have been injured during this period.

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