On human rights, many letter-writers are colour-blind

Egon misses my point. I didn’t suggest that Abhisit Vejjajiva was the same as the Islamic State. I was simply making the point that I’m sick and tired of people only condemning human-rights abuses when it’s politically convenient to do so. In regard to Mr Abhisit, I was mostly referring to the reign of terror he set off by his abuse of the lese majeste law. Prior to his coming to power the law was only enforced in isolated cases.

The reason I get so many people mad is that I refuse to play favourites. That’s in contrast to the many letter writers who will condemn rights abuses under one Thai government while excusing them when they occur under a different administration. And, while I’ve always condemned Islamic terrorism, I reject the views that Israel deserves a free pass and that anyone who doesn’t give it to them is an anti-Semite.

If we would be consistent in our condemnation of all rights abuses, people on every side would benefit.

Eric Bahrt