U.N. Squawks at Thailand's Rout of Muslim Terrorists
NewsMax.com Wires
Friday, April 30, 2004
GENEVA The United Nations' human rights chief demanded
Friday that Thailand investigate clashes in the south of the
country that killed at least 113 people.
The investigation should be "swift and transparent," said
Bertrand Ramcharan, the acting U.N. High Commissioner for Human
Rights.
Security forces in southern Thailand killed 108 people, mostly
young men wielding machetes, who attacked police and army posts on
Wednesday. Three policemen and two soldiers were also killed in the
bloodshed, the worst in years in Thailand.
Under U.N. treaties, security forces are "required to refrain
from using force exceeding that strictly required by the exigencies
of the situation," Ramcharan said. He said immediate action should
be taken to ensure that everyone involved, including prisoners,
are guaranteed their human rights.
Terrorists Again Exploit 'Mosque' as Fort
In one instance, Thai security forces opened fire with
rocket-propelled grenades, automatic rifles and tear gas on
militants holed up in a mosque, killing 32 people inside.
A Thai Foreign Ministry statement released Friday acknowledged
that the death toll was "unfortunate," but defended the
government's response.
"Given the scale and intensity and swiftness of the attacks ...
strong and decisive action" was needed, it said.
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