Pubdate: Thu, 07 Oct 2004 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2004 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39 CALL TO STRIP PM OF DRUG AWARD A coalition of 51 human rights and health organisations has called on the Municipal Council of L'Aquila and Instituzi Perdonanza Colestniana to withdraw the 2004 International Forgiveness Award given to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Mr Thaksin was named as the recipient of the award for "his government's treatment of drug abusers as patients rather than criminals". The award was presented to the prime minister during his trip to Italy last month. The group, which comprises Thai and international organisations, said systematic and brutal human rights violations took place during the government's war on drugs under Mr Thaksin's leadership. The group claimed within three months 2,275 alleged drug offenders were shot dead in apparent extra-judicial executions. The National Human Rights Commission said 123 complaints about drug-related extra-judicial killing were lodged during Feb 20-Mar 7 last year. According to the group, the Italian agency "either failed to ascertain the facts or chose to ignore them" in giving the reward to Mr Thaksin. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D