absolutelyBangkok archive · History
Originally published May 18, 2010
One of the most amazing observations these days is the hardening of hearts and minds. Have to find yet a red shirt supporter or an opponent of the red shirts who changed to the other camp. Yes, there was a coup once, but we were way beyond that. And no, Thaksin is absolutely not out of the picture.
The unwavering support for and of the red militias is the more astonishing as facts and events would suggest who’s rather the aggressor and who rather not. But no, people die senseless deaths and many, more radicalized than ever, stick to their guns.
Stockholm Syndrome anyone?
“In psychology, Stockholm Syndrome is a term used to describe a paradoxical psychological phenomenon wherein hostages express adulation and have positive feelings toward their captors that appear irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims.”
One might add: “… have positive feelings toward their heros who appear irrational in light of the deceit endured by the victims.” Think again what was really happening these days. Whatever side you’re on, here is a good account of what has been happening here in Thailand, a letter by the Democrats’ Deputy Leader Kraisak Choonhavan to Suhas Chakma, director of Asian Center for Human Rights ACHR:
May 15, 2010
Dear Mr. Suhas Chakma, I acknowledge your concerns on the issues of human rights violation during the current political crisis in Thailand.
As you stated, it is extremely unfortunate that the talks collapsed. However, it is even more unfortunate that the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has failed to continue to cooperate with the Government and to decline the Prime Minister’s proposal.
Their rallies thus transformed from what was peaceful assembly to unlawful action beyond the limit sanctioned by the Constitution, causing serious disruption to the daily life of the general public, as well as having a severe economic and social impact upon the country.
It must be stressed that the actions by the UDD in the area of Rajprasong since April 2010 is unlawful. Not only the protesters have occupied the business district, they have blocked roads, stormed into the Parliament building and public and private hospitals, while defying efforts by the authorities to enforce the law.
If you have followed the news closely, the Government has exercised utmost restrain and flexibility in enforcing the law to avoid any damage to property and loss of life, but the demonstrators have shown disregard for the law and no sign of ending the demonstrations. Prime Minister Abhisit has stayed within the law and avoided the use of armed force against the protestors.
On May 3, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva publicly proposed a five-point Reconciliation Roadmap for resolving the current political situation. The Roadmap comprises of five key elements, which, he hoped, with public cooperation, would enable peace and normalcy to be restored to Thai society. However, the protesters refused to accept the proposal.
It is clear that the protesters are not operating in peaceful manners as you can see from the incidents on April 10. On that day, they seized heavy weapons from the military officers. Prior to the incidents on April 10 and 22, there were other incidents involving such weapons, including sporadic grenade attacks and firing of an RPG rocket at an oil reserve tank. Hence, it is also clear that the protesters have possessed lethal weapons which they have proven ready to use indiscriminately.
UDD supporters have also committed numerous violent acts against civilians as stated in Human Rights Watch’s report “Thailand: End Street Battles in Bangkok”.
“On April 28, UDD leader Kwanchai Praipana led more than 2,000 “red shirts” on motorcycles and trucks from Ratchaprasong intersection to attempt to break the CRES roadblock on Vibhavadi-Rangsit highway. The security forces used road barriers, razor wires, teargas, and rubber bullets to stop the protesters from going beyond the National Memorial site near Don Muang Airport. With their way blocked, the protesters initially hurled stones, fired slingshots, and launched homemade rockets at the soldiers and police. Video footage and photos taken by foreign journalists, as well as witnesses interviewed by Human Rights Watch, confirm that some of the protesters then used guns and homemade grenades to attack the security forces.”
(Source:
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/04/30/thailand-end-street-battles-bangkok)
The protesters have also violated human rights of patients and medical service units which your organization shall be aware and take their actions into account.
For your information, please note these Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)’s report, the Account Details Violations of Humanitarian Principles by Protesters at Bangkok Hospital. Their independent accounts all detailed the occurrence of many humanitarian violations in or around the hospital during April 2010. Among the incidents related to the PHR team by hospital personnel:
In early April, protesters erected barriers of tires and bamboo poles along a road separating the hospital grounds from their encampment in adjacent Lumpini Park, leaving only a single lane open for patients, visitors and medical personnel.
Over the next several weeks, protesters armed with knives and sharpened bamboo staves began stopping and searching vehicles entering the hospital — including ambulances transporting acutely ill patients. The protesters were said to be checking for weapons possibly hidden by soldiers in such vehicles.
On April 28, hospital administrators decided to evacuate all hospital buildings within 200 meters of propane tanks positioned by the protesters near a post supporting the elevated railway. Their assumption was that anyone near the tanks might be injured if the protesters decided to try to explode a section of the railway.
The next day, more than 100 protesters, some armed with staves, demanded to be admitted to the hospital buildings to search for Thai security forces whom they suspected of taking up positions overlooking the protesters’ encampment. No such forces were found.
On at least one occasion, a protester claiming to be a physician demanded that the house staff change the medical record of a patient to make it appear that the injury was the result of a fall rather than of a blow to the face. Feeling intimidated, the house staff acquiesced to this change.
All these incidents, individually and collectively, intimidated physicians, nurses and other hospital staff, as well as patients and their families. As a result, hospital administrators evacuated all 1,200 patients over several days.
(Source:
http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/library/briefing-paper-2010-05-04.html)
Therefore, from the Government’s point of view, this is a pressing problem and there is no alternative but for the authorities to enforce the law in accordance with the principle of the rule of law. The Government has stretched to the limits of tolerance to ensure that ordinary citizens can exercise their right to peaceful protest.
The Government’s position is clear that people can hold peaceful demonstrations within the bounds of the law as part of the exercise of their constitutional rights.
The use of the Internal Security Act remains necessary as to ensure peace and order, given the large number people participating in the political rallies. The Government has the duties to facilitate and protect the normal way of life for the people, as well as ensure public safety, including that of the demonstrators. The use of the ISA would enable security officers to integrate their effort and work efficiently under the law. Measures under the ISA have not and will not inhibit the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in accordance with the Constitution, nor will they affect the normal way of life of the people.
Even with the Emergency Decree, security forces — police, military and civilian — have clear, step-by-step standard operating procedures. In addition, the Government has maintained continuous coordination with the demonstrators in order to avoid misunderstanding or any incidents which could cause tension. There have been neither mass arrests nor the mistreatment of protestors on the streets.
Investigations are being conducted into what actually transpired. In addition to the investigation conducted by the authorities led by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Prime Minister has established a fact finding commission to look into the incidents. The Government also stands ready to cooperate with similar efforts by independent agencies such as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which has already initiated an inquiry process of its own.
Kraisak Choonhavan
Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party
Chairman of Committee on Development of Politics, People’s Participation and Mass Media
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