UN rights body concerned over situation in the southUN rights body concerned over situation in the south

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The human rights body of the United Nations yesterday expressed concern over rights violations in the deep South, citing lack of progress in many cases.
The authorities’ attempts to contain violence in the predominantly Muslim region since early 2004 has led to a lot of human rights violations. Misconduct, use of excessive force, forced disappearance and torture have been widely reported over the past years.
“There should be some progress and transparency in many cases in connection with the violence in the deep South,” Sihasak Phuangketkeow, president of the UN Human Rights Council, said.
Cases of forced disappearance in the deep South are a cause for serious concern as most of the cases have not been solved, he said.
Of some 50 unsolved cases of disappearance in Thailand, 14 are in the deep South or have connection with the situation there, he said.
The most high-profile case is of prominent Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, who went missing in March 2004, with no progress in the investigation.The human rights body of the United Nations yesterday expressed concern over rights violations in the deep South, citing lack of progress in many cases.
The authorities’ attempts to contain violence in the predominantly Muslim region since early 2004 has led to a lot of human rights violations. Misconduct, use of excessive force, forced disappearance and torture have been widely reported over the past years.
“There should be some progress and transparency in many cases in connection with the violence in the deep South,” Sihasak Phuangketkeow, president of the UN Human Rights Council, said.
Cases of forced disappearance in the deep South are a cause for serious concern as most of the cases have not been solved, he said.
Of some 50 unsolved cases of disappearance in Thailand, 14 are in the deep South or have connection with the situation there, he said.
The most high-profile case is of prominent Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, who went missing in March 2004, with no progress in the investigation.
Thailand is not yet a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Sihasak discussed the issue with civic groups at the Foreign Ministry yesterday, and also with security agencies handling the deep South on Tuesday. The sessions were part of Sihasak’s task to obtain inputs from civil society and the concerned officials about human rights.
Thailand, which is a member of the UN Human Rights Council from 2010-2013, has an obligation to report its human rights situation to the council by late next year.
The report would be a part of the Universal Periodic Review, which is an instrument of the UN to improve the human rights situation in member countries.
“I would like to see the report reflect the collective view of the country, not just a report from a state agency,” he said. “It should not just simply report on the current situation but should say what Thailand has to do to improve human rights in the long run.”
As the new president of the council, Sihasak said he would facilitate dialogue among regions which have different views on human rights, and deal with the human rights situation in every corner of the world equally.
The human rights issue should not be politicised and the naming and shaming approach in the council should be reduced during his term, he said.
From: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/08/26/politics/UN-rights-body-concerned-over-situation-in-the-sou-30136649.html
Thailand is not yet a party to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Sihasak discussed the issue with civic groups at the Foreign Ministry yesterday, and also with security agencies handling the deep South on Tuesday. The sessions were part of Sihasak’s task to obtain inputs from civil society and the concerned officials about human rights.
Thailand, which is a member of the UN Human Rights Council from 2010-2013, has an obligation to report its human rights situation to the council by late next year.
The report would be a part of the Universal Periodic Review, which is an instrument of the UN to improve the human rights situation in member countries.
“I would like to see the report reflect the collective view of the country, not just a report from a state agency,” he said. “It should not just simply report on the current situation but should say what Thailand has to do to improve human rights in the long run.”
As the new president of the council, Sihasak said he would facilitate dialogue among regions which have different views on human rights, and deal with the human rights situation in every corner of the world equally.
The human rights issue should not be politicised and the naming and shaming approach in the council should be reduced during his term, he said.
From: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/08/26/politics/UN-rights-body-concerned-over-situation-in-the-sou-30136649.html