PPT reproduces a letter from former National Human Rights Commission member and red shirt leader Jaran Ditapichai:
July 12,2010
Dear Friends of Human Rights and Democracy,
On the two month anniversary of the Army’s crackdown, I Jaran Ditapichai, a UDD leader, and a former National Human Right Commissioner of Thailand would like to thank all the persons and organizations such as the Asian Human Rights Commission, Human right Watch, Amnesty International, International Crisis Groups, International Committee of Jurist and others for their universal condemnation of the Thai Government’s handling of the dispersal in April and May where 90 deaths and over 1900 persons were injured.
While Thai Government present a new reconciliation plan to heal the scar of the dispersal to the world, UDD leaders such as Vira Musikapong, Nattawut Saikuer, Kokaew Pikulthong, Nisit Sintupai, Weng Tojirakarn, Kwanchai Praipana, Vipootalaeng Patanaphumthai and Jenk Dokjik, are still being detained after arrest and face the legal double standard by not receiving bail as compare to those who seized Suwannaphum Airport during 2007 who were allowed bailed after arrest. And still there are over 300 of UDD provincial leaders are arrested with 800 arrest warrants are on notice nationwide.
For the past 2 months, the situation in Thailand has not improved but it is getting worse. The Government still abuse its power by using its legal proceeding to continue the Emergency rule for three more months. They arrest those with different political point of view by freezing over 106 persons of their asset and invite 83 Thais to audit their financial transaction. At the same time, the Government was criticized by deceiving the world by creating 5 committtees of political-media-reconciliation and reforms which are composing by the persons who are PM Thaksin’s enemies and enemies of red shirts people.
By doing such actions, it is impossible to reduce tension in the current political arena. At the mean time, Thais are still resisting the government’s continuation of Emergency Decree with seminars, discussion and declaration to stop the government’s violation of human rights.
Besides, during the past 2 months, there are report of violent incidents such as bombings which, regardless of who did them, show that as long as Government use deceit, law, and Emergency Rule to destroy the Reds and democratic groups, these type of situation will happen and cause more violence. To lessen it, Abhisit must suspend Emergency Decree, bring back the previous reconciliation plan by dissolve Parliament, hold general election on Nov 14 which all international communities’ had previously support. Then there will be a true reconciliation in Thailand.
Sincerely,
Jaran Ditapichai
Political Prisoners in Thailand 