Human rights activists call for independent panel to look into Thailand clashes

BANGKOK - Local and international human rights activists are calling for the urgent establishment of an independent panel to investigate the deadly clashes between Thailand’s security forces and Red-Shirt anti-government protesters.

A network of local civic groups headed by human rights lawyer Somchai Homla said that an independent panel must be set up to find out what happened during the recent political rallies.

The group said the investigation into the clashes should cover the application of the rule of law, political issues and codes of ethics, and the military operations, which resulted in deaths and injuries, The Bangkok Post reports.

Meanwhile, New York-based Human Rights Watch’s acting Asia director Elaine Pearson said: “Now that the protests are over, the government should properly investigate and prosecute those who broke the law.” he Human Rights Watch further urged the government to show its commitment to justice by having the National Human Rights Commission, a parliamentary inquiry and an independent panel investigate the clashes.

Thailand has been completely hammered by the nine-week political turmoil and rioting.

Nearly 1,800 people were wounded in the period as the government, backed by Thailand’s royalist establishment, and the protesters with their support from the rural masses and ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, failed to find common ground. (ANI)