Submitted on Fri, 3 May 2013 - 09:12 AM
Around 20.05, on Wednesday, 1 May 20130, at least four perpetrators with two motorcycles used war weapons and fired into the crowd in front of a grocery shop located at 17/12, Poon Sawat Road, Moo 5, Ban Kok Muang, Rusamilae sub-district, Muang District, Pattani. Six deaths included one two years old child and a severely injured. The killing of innocent people is gross human rights abuse and unlawful. It simply incurs an atmosphere of fear among local people.
The Cross-Cultural Foundation (CrCF) would like to convey our deepest condolence to the affected families and condemn the persons who waged violence by shooting cold-bloodedly Thai Buddhist in Pattani. Despite the unknown reasons or motivations, such mayhem terrifies the Thai Buddhist community which is minority people in the area and it was a fierce defiance against the law and arrest.
Since February 2013, after the commencement of official and open peace talk between Thai authorities and BRN, people, local and national, feel hopeful that the talk will have led to peace in the near future with effort from all parties. Though the talk is far from bringing an immediate cease of violence, a number of people still do not come to terms with it and oppose it, and it is possible that they shall create any situations that lead to derailment of the talk.
In addition, violence continues unabated. Though at each incidence, no one claims responsibility, previously and during the peace talk process. But given that the existence of the groups to liberate Pattani becomes more visible, there should be persons to be brought to justice for the incidence by way of domestic or international law. Any violence inflicted against the innocent is considered a breach of either national or international law.
Nevertheless, the state is supposed to provide for safety of life and properties of people, and comprehensive and effective measures must be meted out. Meanwhile, an effort should be made to encourage local people to inform the authorities any lead and information about any incidence and to help bring to justice the perpetrators. Previously, the state’s effort to ensure peace and safety still leaves much to be desired. CrCF hopes that the violence abetted against innocent people this time shall not discourage the Thai authorities and BRN from pursuing the talk. All sectors should help to provide for measures to bring an end to insurgency. The success of peace process shall rest on support from local people and nationwide to bring peaceful solutions in the near future.
