UN, Amnesty and major powers condemn bomb attacks
THE United Nations and Amnesty International have joined foreign condemnation of the deadly bomb attacks in southern Thailand that left four people dead and dozens more injured.
Many of the injured were foreign tourists of different nationalities.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday expressed hope the perpetrators of the attacks on Thursday and Friday would be brought to justice quickly.
“The secretary-general extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes those injured a speedy recovery. He expresses his sympathies to the government and people of Thailand,” a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson said.
Amnesty International said the apparently coordinated blasts at the popular tourist spots were reprehensible acts of violence that must be thoroughly investigated, with those responsible brought to justice.
“Nothing can justify intentionally carrying out indiscriminate attacks, which disregard the basic right to life. These acts of violence show utter contempt for human rights” said Champa Patel, senior research adviser for Amnesty International’s Southeast Asia and Pacific Regional Office.
“Those behind the attacks must be brought to justice through fair trials. Amnesty International calls on Thai authorities to ensure their response is in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law,” Patel said in a statement.
Earlier, the United States’ State Department and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier also condemned the attacks.
“The United States extends our deepest sympathy to all those affected by the attacks in Thailand. We condemn these deplorable acts of violence,” State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said in a statement issued on Friday.
In a statement issued on Friday, Steinmeier said: “I condemn the attacks in the strongest terms.
“It is not clear yet who was behind the assaults. But one thing is certain: no political goal justifies violence and attacks on innocent people.”
The German foreign minister said Thailand, with its seaside resorts and scenic landscapes, had a special place in the hearts of Germans.
Thousands of Germans holiday in Thailand every year.
