Human Rights Watch calls for independent probe into conscript’s killing
By The Nation

 

The funeral service of Private Yuthkinan Boonniam.

 

BANGKOK: -- The Human Rights Watch Wednesday called for an independent investigation into the killing of an Army conscript in Surat Thani and for a broader campaign to end the longstanding use of corporal punishment in the armed forces.

 

The organisation issued the call following the death of Private Yuthkinan Boonniam, who was fatally beaten inside the remand facility of the Vibhavadi Rangsit Military Camp in Surat Thani Province.

 

The Human Rights Watch also called for prosecuting military commanders for serious offenses by soldiers under their command.

“Another army conscript dies from an apparent beating, yet Thai leaders don’t seem interested in addressing the problem,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. 

 

“The government and the military should urgently act to end these brutal assaults and the culture of impunity that has meant no punishment for abusive soldiers and the officers ultimately responsible.”

 

Human Rights Watch noted that the Royal Thai Army inducts about 100,000 conscripts across Thailand each year but fails to implement effective safeguards against torture and other human rights violations committed by officers or other soldiers.

 

“Contrary to army spokesperson Col. Winthai Suvaree’s statement on April 3 that Yutthakinun’s death was an isolated incident, the Thai army faces a chronic inability to end abuses against its conscripts,” Adams said.

 

In another high-profile case reported by Human Rights Watch, there has been no progress in prosecuting the soldiers responsible for the death of Pvt Wichian Puaksom, who was tortured to death while undergoing disciplinary punishment at the 151st Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division in Narathiwat province in June 2011, the statement added.

 

Human Rights Watch said the Thai government is not known to have prosecuted successfully any members of the security forces for torture or other serious abuses against civilians. 

 

In many cases, Thai authorities have provided financial compensation to the victims or their families in exchange for their agreement not to pursue criminal prosecution against abusive officials. There have also been many reported instances in which military officers retaliated against their accusers by filing criminal defamation lawsuits and alleging those complainants violated the Computer-Related Crime Act by disseminating false statements online, Human Ritghts Watch added.

 

“Thailand’s military needs to take swift action to show that there will be no place in its ranks for those who believe they have unchecked powers to abuse other soldiers or anyone else,” Adams said. “The government and top military commanders should ensure that Private Yutthakinun’s death will be the last case of barrack brutality in Thailand.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30311347

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-05

So, basically, nothing is going to happen.

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'There have also been many reported instances in which military officers retaliated against their accusers by filing criminal defamation lawsuits and alleging those complainants violated the Computer-Related Crime Act by disseminating false statements online, Human Ritghts Watch added'.

 

The poor petals, after having a hand in the death of a fellow soldiers life they can't handle the pressure of an investigation. Sad for the family of the dead soldier and the country asking he put his life in the hands of superior military types to protect the Thai population. Under the carpet.

It's about time they finished this nonsense of National Service and theatre of the draft selection and move to a professional army of voluntarily choosing to become a soldier rather than being beaten and coerced as at present