The UN Speaks

18 May
2010

BBC reports:

Thailand must step back from the brink and begin talks to end clashes between protesters and troops, the UN says.

UN rights chief Navi Pillay said Bangkok was in danger of spiralling out of control, after five days of violence which has seen 37 people killed.

She spoke a day after protesters called for UN-backed talks to end the crisis – a move rejected by the government.

[...]

In a statement, Ms Pillay said: “I urge leaders to set aside pride and politics for the sake of the people of Thailand.

“To prevent further loss of life, I appeal to the protesters to step back from the brink, and the security forces to exercise maximum restraint in line with the instructions given by the government.”.

In effect, this can be seen as largely a setback for the reds who were earlier hoping for outside intervention, involving the UN or foreign governments.

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1 Response to The UN Speaks

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David Brown

May 18th, 2010 at 4:35 am

email sent to UNHCR Commissioner Ms Pillay , copy UN Thailand and Australian Foreign Minister (who is a bit more reputable than Kasit)

I refer to the recent widely reported and criticised statement: as follows

“In a statement, Ms Pillay said: “I urge leaders to set aside pride and politics for the sake of the people of Thailand.

“To prevent further loss of life, I appeal to the protesters to step back from the brink, and the security forces to exercise maximum restraint in line with the instructions given by the government.”.”

the issue we all have with this is that the UN Commissioner for Human Rights has not based her statement on UN Principles or Polices

it appears Ms Pillay has supinely stated what the Thai government has wished her to say that their orders giving their Thai military bosses free rein to kill the protesters such as “there are 500 terrorists mingling with the protesters”, “snipers to take out terrorists” and “free fire zones”

for example, why not at least refer to the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights?

Why?

I will appreciate a clear response and restatement of a formal rather than the current “off the cuff” UN position as soon as practicable

regards
David and Trinood Brown

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