Army needs to act on the fatal beating of Imam Yapa

[Lite Beer]

EDITORIAL
Army needs to act on the fatal beating of Imam Yapa
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Our indifference to the plight of the Malays of Patani brings shame on Thai society; we need to face our shared destiny

This past week the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has recommended that the army and criminal prosecutors take legal action against Sub Lt Sirikhet Wanitbamrung over the alleged killing of a Narathiwat imam seven years ago.

Imam Yapa Kaseng was beaten to death in front of his son while he was being kept at a Narathiwat military detention site in March 2008. He was accused of being part of a local militant separatist cell bent on carving out a separate homeland for the Malay Muslims in the southernmost provinces.

According to the autopsy report, Yapa's ribs were fractured and the broken bones punctured his lungs.

Sub Lt Sirikhet was attached to the 39th Special Taskforce Unit in Rueso district in Narathiwat, an area with a high concentration of militant activity.

Yapa's death drew an outcry from the local and international community, especially human right organisations, who accused the government of turning a blind eye to the culture of impunity in this highly contested region, where more than 6,500 have been killed over 10 to 11 years, most of them Malay Muslims.

Even some foreign embassies in Bangkok inquired into this death and urged the Thai government and the Army to uphold its principles of law and order.

Many feared that the killing of Islamic leaders, be it Imam Yapa or others who have been shot dead by government or pro-government death squads, would radicalise the insurgents, who have over the past 11 years pretty much kept their campaign of violence against the state to the Malay-speaking region.

In response to the growing pressure, the Army has promised a thorough investigation into the case. Some observers said the vow from the top brass at the time was to get foreign governments off their back for the time being.

Seven years later, the NACC has got around to making a recommendation as to what legal action should be taken. The fact it took this long to come to this point reflects poorly on Thailand's justice system, which this and previous governments consistently vowed to improve and made accessible to all parties and stakeholders.

But from the look of how the state treats this and other similar cases, such promises appear to be little more than lip service.

The attitude of Thai state agencies have always been "let bygones be bygones". But can the Malays of Patani, or anybody for that matter, move on as one nation with a shared destiny with the rest of the people in Thailand without first addressing the historical wounds between the two sides?

The suggestion to let bygones be bygones is nothing less than wishful thinking on the country's part and the handling of Imam Yapa's case is a testimony of the lack of commitment on the country's part.

Sad to say, most Thai people could not care less about Imam Yapa's case because of their blind support for the government's action in the deep South. We blindly embrace nationalism to the point that we paint the Malays of Patani as an ungrateful minority who can't appreciate the goodness and generosity of the state.

That racist attitude lies at the base of Thailand’s policy of failed assimilation, which Malays in the deep South say comes at the expense of their cultural, historical and religious identity.

Because they do not want to embrace our state-constructed narrative, we become indifferent to their historic grievances and the obvious injustice and illegal action by our officers, in episodes such as the Tak Bai massacre and the fatal beating of Imam Yapa.

Seriously, did any Thai people weep with the Patani Malays when 78 of their sons suffocated to death on the back of military trucks in late 2004? And let's not forget the seven shot dead at the protest site.

Security officials and state agencies tend to see the years of tit-for-tat killings and murders as acceptable. 'They may be Thai citizens but they are not on "our side" - so what's the big deal?' That appears to be the attitude of our officials and society.

The culture of impunity and the systematic violation of human rights are not acceptable because these things have been done in the name of the state. The fact that we indifferent to this reflects poorly on our society.

We have rules, laws and regulations. And if they are going to be selective about how they are imposed, then the government should withdraw from all the international conventions against illegal killings, kidnapping and torture of suspected criminals and insurgents.

The international community and watchdog organisations have a moral obligation to remind Thailand of its commitment to these conventions and protocol.

In some countries, these obligations are legal, which would mean legal and political action must be considered and/or taken up.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Army-needs-to-act-on-the-fatal-beating-of-Imam-Yap-30269627.html

-- The Nation 2015-09-27

[EnzoRippo]

Excellent article. TheNation is so strange: able to publish this text and at the same time request a coup, support the junta and sack an opponent journalist.

[Seastallion]

It's not just the Army that needs to take action, it's the entire judiciary.

If murder is committed, justice must be served swiftly and fairly, no matter who the victim is or who the perpetrator is. Without fail, without exception.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

[smutcakes]

It's not just the Army that needs to take action, it's the entire judiciary.

If murder is committed, justice must be served swiftly and fairly, no matter who the victim is or who the perpetrator is. Without fail, without exception.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

The judiciary will never do anything, they are corrupt to the core and are the first place any reforms should have started. The army will never do anything to one of their own, until they are held accountable for their actions. Unfortunately this will never happen. They are not going to clip their own feathers, and no elected Government dares touch them or the tanks will roll in.

[Toknarok]

Although a laudable request it will IMO never happen. Do you think the Army who are now in power will go after one of their own after 7 years? Remember also that when this event occurred it was after the 2006 army coup, and Somak the Army appointed PM was in charge.

[Bakseeda]

Is it not why we live in Thailand....Justice means Just is.......... and that's the way it is.... It will NEVER change here, accept it and be happy.

[Strangebrew]

Who cares Where is the outcry for the killing of teachers? or innocent children?, bombing of schools then they bitch we have no work. Maybe it is because you surport the unrest ever think?

[Bluespunk]

Who cares Where is the outcry for the killing of teachers? or innocent children?, bombing of schools then they bitch we have no work. Maybe it is because you surport the unrest ever think?

Who cares?

Everyone should care about any and all atrocities, murders or violent actions carried out in this vicious conflict, whether it is committed by the terrorist scum or is due to the extra judicial terrorism of the authorities.

All violence is wrong.

Anyone justifying this crime is no better than the scum who defend terrorism.

Edited September 27, 2015 by Bluespunk

[tomross46]

It's not just the Army that needs to take action, it's the entire judiciary.

If murder is committed, justice must be served swiftly and fairly, no matter who the victim is or who the perpetrator is. Without fail, without exception.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

I agree, this also included the more than 2500 innocent Thai citizens that were murdered during the PM Thaksin War on Drugs. The UN declared it as a crime against Humanity. Thaksin comment was " the UN is not my father".

[Strangebrew]

Not justiying just saying if you cry out for one now where were was your crys for the others? Or is his life of more value? I value all life. But seems those commiting the most damage in the south value only there goal. But unfortunately people respond with violence in return.

[Orac]

It's not just the Army that needs to take action, it's the entire judiciary.

If murder is committed, justice must be served swiftly and fairly, no matter who the victim is or who the perpetrator is. Without fail, without exception.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

The judiciary will never do anything, they are corrupt to the core and are the first place any reforms should have started. The army will never do anything to one of their own, until they are held accountable for their actions. Unfortunately this will never happen. They are not going to clip their own feathers, and no elected Government dares touch them or the tanks will roll in.

One of the key roles in the Thai injustice system is the part played by the NACC who act as a gatekeeper and are thus are able to delay any proceedings to the point that they are forgotten about or statute of limitations can kick in.

Though Thaksin was rightfully accused of trying to tamper with some of the independent agencies there is a huge question mark over how independent these agencies were in the first place and I am sure that some quarters of Thai society were concerned about losing the protection that some of these agencies were able to provide them with.

The credibility of the NACC has to be suspect given that it had two commissioners appointed who were already under investigation for corruption by them.

[Bluespunk]

Not justiying just saying if you cry out for one now where were was your crys for the others? Or is his life of more value? I value all life. But seems those commiting the most damage in the south value only there goal. But unfortunately people respond with violence in return.

This man was murdered and those crying out over it have every right to do so.

There appears to be no evidence he or those trying to achieve justice for his murder have or had anything to do with the violence in the south.

Without evidence it looks as if his crime was to be a religious leader of a faith the scum who murdered him judge to be collectively responsible for the violence in the south.

Even if he was involved that is no excuse for beating him to death in this manner. There has to be due process if this conflict is to end.

Edited September 27, 2015 by Bluespunk

[vadimbz]

Buddhist teachers, and monks are killed every week and nobody cares, a murderous Muslim scum gets what's coming for him, and everyone looses their mind. Typical.

Edited September 27, 2015 by vadimbz

[Bluespunk]

Buddhist teachers, and monks are killed every week and nobody cares, a murderous Muslim scum gets what's coming for him, and everyone looses their mind. Typical.

I'm sorry but where do you get no one cares about the murders of Buddhists, teachers of all faiths and monks?

From what I recall all such atrocities have been widely condemned by all but the scum who justify murder in the name of their cause.

All such murders are equally wrong.

Edited September 27, 2015 by Bluespunk

[vadimbz]

^One of the most intellectually dishonest posts I've read this year.

[pedro01]

The hypocrisy in this article is stunning. The author asks for equal treatment and sympathy but cannot himself call these people what they are - Thais. They were born in Thailand.

As for the dead terrorist. End result is probably a whole lot fewer victims of his atrocities. Keep up the good work!

[Bluespunk]

^One of the most intellectually dishonest posts I've read this year.

Don't be so harsh on yourself.

You just can't see all murder is wrong.

Justice is only justice if it applies to all equally.

Regardless of who they are.

[vadimbz]

Murder is not wrong when they are coming after you. Ever heard of self-defense?

[Bluespunk]

The hypocrisy in this article is stunning. The author asks for equal treatment and sympathy but cannot himself call these people what they are - Thais. They were born in Thailand.

As for the dead terrorist. End result is probably a whole lot fewer victims of his atrocities. Keep up the good work!

The only group who could see the murder of this man as a good thing are those hoping to recruit more to take part in their campaign of violence.

You call him a terrorist? Can you direct me to the evidence that indicates he was such a creature?

Edited September 27, 2015 by Bluespunk

[Bluespunk]

Murder is not wrong when they are coming after you. Ever heard of self-defense?

Couple of points.

A: Where is the evidence he was a terrorist?

B: Even if he was, how can a man in custody be seen as being a threat? I can't see how he could be so dangerous that he had to beaten to death.

Edit: Human rights watch report on this case.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2008/07/03/thailand-fear-army-cover-imams-death

Edited September 27, 2015 by Bluespunk

[simple1]

With extrajudicial killing there is always an immediate increase in killings by the 'insurgents', so why the hell do Thai security and death squads carry on with this activity.

As a Thai Buddhist friend of mine from the deep South once said one of the deep rooted causes for lack of effective action is too many people are profiting from the conflict. Based upon the arrests of members of Thai security forces involved with corruption and collaboration with the local gangs whose activities contribute to funding the insurgency I believe him.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

As for the dead terrorist. End result is probably a whole lot fewer victims of his atrocities. Keep up the good work!

Sorry, but before he was beaten to death while in Army custody, was he ever convicted in court of the crimes he was accused of?

If he was guilty and the authorities could prove it, he should have been tried and convicted and sentenced to prison. Thai courts have no problem doing that.

But he shouldn't have been beaten to death in a Thai Army camp, no matter who he was.

[Rimmer]

Troll post and reply removed

[Transporter]

The hypocrisy in this article is stunning. The author asks for equal treatment and sympathy but cannot himself call these people what they are - Thais. They were born in Thailand.

As for the dead terrorist. End result is probably a whole lot fewer victims of his atrocities. Keep up the good work!

The only group who could see the murder of this man as a good thing are those hoping to recruit more to take part in their campaign of violence.

You call him a terrorist? Can you direct me to the evidence that indicates he was such a creature?

[lgking]

Is Thailand living proof that there is more than one 'sub-species' of Homo-Sapien...?

Edited September 27, 2015 by lgking

[sawadee1947]

very good article. Very open. But probably not the kind of "quality" journalism the PM requests....

[Yann55]

^One of the most intellectually dishonest posts I've read this year.

A 'dishonest post' is a post you don't agree with ?

[lvr181]

It's not just the Army that needs to take action, it's the entire judiciary.

If murder is committed, justice must be served swiftly and fairly, no matter who the victim is or who the perpetrator is. Without fail, without exception.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

I agree, this also included the more than 2500 innocent Thai citizens that were murdered during the PM Thaksin War on Drugs. The UN declared it as a crime against Humanity. Thaksin comment was " the UN is not my father".

That was a "Thai social commentary" merely uttered by Thaksin! The comment encapsulates Thai authoritative thinking. At least we have not heard for sometime now "you do not understand Thainess"(or words to that effect).

[metisdead]

A post discussing racist views rather than the topic has been removed as well as a reply.

[Srikcir]

"But can the Malays of Patani, or anybody for that matter, move on as one nation with a shared destiny with the rest of the people in Thailand"

I think they would rather move on as an autonomous muslim region as they once had before being subjugated by the Kingdom. They only have a shared destiny with Thailand because they are forced to do so.

Let them have a referendum like Scotland and Catalonia and find out with whom they want a shared destiny.