UN EXPERT ON EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS SEEKS TO VISIT THAILAND

17 November 2004

The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of the United Nations Commission of Human Rights, Philip Alston, issued the following statement today.

The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights dealing with extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions indicated today that he had requested an invitation from the Government of Thailand to visit the country to enable him to assess the current situation.

Philip Alston, a law professor at New York University, said he was deeply concerned about the deaths of 87 people in a recent incident in Takbai, in the south of Thailand, and about reports that up to 40 are still unaccounted for. “The subsequent occurrence of reprisal killings, apparently undertaken to avenge the other deaths, is another part of a very worrying phenomenon”, said Professor Alston.

The Special Rapporteur indicated that he greatly appreciated the detailed information which the Thai Government had provided in response to a letter he had sent earlier this month. The reply explained that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has appointed an independent commission to investigate the killings and report within 30 days. Professor Alston indicated that a visit to Thailand would enable him speak with all those involved in the recent events and to formulate positive recommendations to support ongoing efforts to bring peace and stability to the southern provinces of Thailand.