Pubdate: Thu, 06 Mar 2003
Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand)
Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2003
Contact:  http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39
Author: Yuwadee Tunyasiri

RULING PARTY WARNS PRADIT

Thai Rak Thai spokesman Suranand Vejjajiva has threatened Pradit 
Charoenthaithawee with impeachment after the human rights commissioner 
brought drug-related killings to the attention of the United Nations.

The UN High Commission on Human Rights is worried about the number of 
people killed since the government's war on drugs began on Feb 1.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said he was not worried if the UN 
investigated the drug deaths, but said Thais should not act as 
"whistle-blowers" or give away Thailand's independence.

Dr Pradit told a political discussion on Tuesday that members at a UN human 
rights meeting last month likened the drug operation to genocide.

Dr Pradit explained that no massacres were involved, so the campaign could 
not be likened to genocide. At another UN meeting in Pakistan, Dr Pradit 
said he was asked to give the facts about the drug war. He said he spoke 
about drug blacklists and extra-judicial killings. He also told the meeting 
that it was unclear whether any drug-related killing cases had been tried 
in court.

Mr Suranand said the campaign could not be likened to genocide. The prime 
minister did not want people to die and the government had nothing to do 
with the 1,100-plus deaths of drug dealers and users since February.

The government did not violate human rights. The campaign would make people 
safe from the threat of drugs.

The National Human Rights Commission Act set out protocols for 
commissioners to follow in investigating human-rights abuse complaints.

"Rules are made to follow so people should not bypass them and go for help 
overseas," he said. The commission could examine an agency accused of 
rights violations and ask the prime minister to use his authority to settle 
a dispute. If the prime minister refused to act, the commission could ask 
parliament to take care of the problem. MPs and senators can also ask the 
Senate to impeach any commissioner who failed to perform in the best 
interests of the country. 
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