Justice meltdown

This long-overdue gesture to attempt to compensate for the bereavement and loss of breadwinners must now yield to a fair-minded investigation to determine guilt and uncover abusive denials by the Crime Suppression Division. Accused underlings and superior overseers, protected by unchecked power, have got off without even a reprimand. 

The keys to resolving the conflict in the deep South include leadership accountability, military and police taking responsibility, and sensitivity and better understanding of the root causes, not divisive, heavy-fisted confrontation, discriminatory edicts and countless discriminatory charges that have never been justifiably explained. 

Socio-cultural alienation, perceived ethnic harassment and religious persecution have given rise to mistrust, dissent and unrest. This must be re-examined objectively, and a mutually agreed action plan must be sought, focused on suggested remedies from local communities. Unbridled decrees only enflame the already smouldering wildfires, not put them out.

Attempts to stifle the media, censor e-mails, tap telephones, detain people without charge, allow house arrests and confiscate suspects’ property violate fundamental civil and human rights and flagrantly bypass constitutional protections. Most importantly, the valiant efforts of the respected Anand Panyarachun and the National Reconciliation Commission have been summarily trashed in favour of arrogant fiats without any mechanism for check-and-balance justice or fairness.

Charles Frederickson

Bangkok