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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth