There’s no washing the blood from Abhisit’s hands
As has been widely reported in the Thai press, former Prime Minister and present leader of the Thai Democrat Party, Abhisit Vejjajiva, will meet with police to answer questions regarding the deaths of unarmed civilian protesters who were shot and murdered in April and May 2010. In the last few days former Deputy Prime Minister and senior Democrat Party member Suthep Thaugsuban has also been interviewed by Thai authorities pertaining to these deaths.
The significance of these two important political figures being called to answer such questions cannot be overstated. As far as I’m aware it is the first time in Thai history that such senior persons implicated in such crimes have ever been close to be being held to account. For this reason alone it marks an important step on the road to justice for my clients, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship aka the Red Shirts.
As many readers know it is now almost 11months since my law firm filed a case regarding the Bangkok Massacre with the International Criminal Court on behalf of the UDD. Like everyone else connected with the case we are still awaiting the court’s decision and for ordinary Thais to be granted access to justice and to be able to instigate accountability for those who assume leadership positions in their country.
While awaiting for the court to reach a decision Thailand has once again begun down the road to democratic rule by electing, in July 2011, the Pheu Thai Party to power and installing Yingluck Shinawatra as Prime Minister – the first popularly mandated PM since 2008. Pheu Thai and Yingluck’s election was a significant moment even if, since then, the road it has had to travel along has been rocky – the recent trauma of the terrible floods is still being felt while the slew of lese majeste cases has been a major disappointment for those seeking to create a more democratic Thailand.
Nonetheless Abhisit’s questioning is a defining moment. Despite all his chicanery, obfuscations and outright lies, the blood spilled last year still hasn’t washed from Abhisit’s hands. He needs to be put on notice that I will continue to do all I can to hold him to account for the terrible crimes of April/May 2010. He should also be reminded that the Thai people are determined to bring him to book and to make him face justice. The only certainty is that time is running out for Abhisit and he has fewer places to hide. This time, the blood of the Thai people won’t wash away so easily.
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War on drugs 2500 were shot and murdered.
Krue Se Mosque 112 were shot and murdered.
Tak Bai Hundreds of detainees were forced at gunpoint to lie shackled and prone in Army trucks, stacked like cordwood. The trucks were delayed from moving to the detainment area for hours. The 84 victims were reported to have been asphyxiated, crushed or died of overheating.
Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit disappeared, allegedly abducted and killed by police for his role in defending alleged insurgents who claimed to have been tortured. Despite witness testimony and forensic evidence during the court of police investigations and court trials, all allegations against police said to be involved were dropped and the enforced disappearance case closed.
All happened when Thaksin was Prime Minister
When will Thaksin report for questioning on these matters?
I’ll take your words for it…..and wait patiently.
Amsterdam has only one way of thinking, not your way. He is blind for everything except cases in advantige of Thaksin his paying master.
And, Henk, the innocents who were murdered by the Tha Army under Abhisits illegitimate rule are excused due to Thaksin’s own corruption?
Thaksin’s legal counsel is not under employ to file cases against his own boss – so go file one yourself. Thaksin’s opponents have been swinging at him for years, but always failed to lodge anything decent because they had their own hands in all his filth alongside him. Now all their cases that have gone to court can be dissmissed as politically motivated (because they are).
Whether Thaksin is corrupt or not himself is not the issue here – Robert has the right of it. Abhisit belongs in a court room. Sadly, I have little faith he’ll really get there. Reason being Puea Thai are too scared to do it because the Thai military and conservative establishment are currently holding the country hostage under fear of coup and dictatorship. This only adds substance to Robert’s case, but.
It’s good you’re working again now the floods are going away, Robert. Good to have you back.