By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BANGKOK, Thailand – On January 13th, Amnesty International released a report accusing the Thai military of engaging in “systematic torture” on suspected Muslim insurgents in the Southern Thailand.

The Thai government has been engaged in a conflict with Malay separatists in the South since 2004 where 3,500 have died. The Muslim majority in the South mainly speaks a Malay dialect. In 2004, a group of Muslim insurgents stormed an army depot, killed 4 soldiers, stole weapons, and burned down 20 schools. As a response, the then-Thai government wanted to “win the hearts and minds” of the Muslim majority and promised a new approach to the South. Currently 30,000 Thai soldiers are stationed in the South.

Torture is outlawed in Thailand. However, in Amnesty International’s report, it documented instances of torture by Thai security forces since 2007.  34 torture cases were cited, which included four torture victims who died in custody.

Amnesty International believes there are 21 unofficial detention centers where insurgent suspects are detained and mistreated. NGOs, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, are denied access to these facilities making it difficult for human rights groups to monitor abuses. The detainees are also denied visits by relatives and lawyers.

The Muslim paramilitary units are also blamed for violence. Since 2004, insurgents have attacked civilians, targeted Buddhist monks and school teachers, and tortured and killed soldiers and police. “We understand the pressure they are under. But there are simply no circumstances under which torture is justified,” said Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International South East Asia team.

The new Thai government also promised a new approach to the South. On December 25, 2008 the government formed an investigation team to look into the death of Yapa Kaseng, a local Muslim Imam. The inquest named Thai soldiers responsible for Kaseng’s death. Human rights advocates argue that criminal charges should be brought against those responsible in order for the new government’s claims to have credibility.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Thai Troops ‘Torturing in South’ – 13 January 2009

BBC –Thailand’s Savage Southern Conflict– 13 January 2009

Financial Times – Thai Army Accused of Torture in Report– 13 January 2009