Thailand: Hold Accountable Those Responsible For 2010 Abuse

Perpetrators of Abuses During 2010 Violence In Thailand Must Be Held Accountable – UN

The United Nations human rights office today voiced concern at an amnesty bill being discussed this week in Thailand’s Parliament that, if adopted, could pardon people involved in serious rights violations during the political violence that occurred in April and May 2010.

More than 90 people died and thousands were injured in the South-east Asian nation during that period, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT) set up in the wake of the violence issued a report containing serious and substantive findings backed by forensic evidence and which recommended urgent action to ensure accountability for human rights abuses.

“We reiterate the previous call by the High Commissioner for the Government to act on the TRCT’s recommendations and ensure that state officials and others are held to account for their role in serious human rights abuses,” OHCHR spokesperson Cécile Pouilly told reporters in Geneva. “This would set an important precedent for Thailand.”

OHCHR also called on the Government to ensure that any amnesty excludes those who are responsible for human rights violations and to take steps to prosecute perpetrators of such violations.

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