Press Statement from Working Group on Justice for Peace (WGJP)

Released on 25 May 2007

Statement

Urged the public prosecutor to speed up the case of extra judicial killings in Kruesae Mosque and reconsider the order to transfer Gen.Pallop Pinmanee to the Deep South

On 25 May 2007 the WGJP submitted an open letter to the office of Attorney General in order to urge them to speed up the legal proceedings regarding the case of extra judicial killing of 32 people in Krusae Mosque on 28 April 2004.

On 28 November 2006, the Pattani Provincial Court in its order on Red Case number Chor 3/2549 stated that on 28^th April General Pallop Pinmanee, Colonel Manas Kongpan, Lieutenant Colonel Naphat Nakchaiya, ordered security officers to surround the Kruesae Mosque and open fire and the 32 persons died because of injuries to critical organs of the body caused by bullets and explosives. The Court has sent the file of Court examination of post mortem inquest back to the prosecutor in order to conduct further investigation and identify the persons responsible for the killings. However it appears that there has been no progress on the said case. The WGJP requests the office of Attorney General to answer why it has taken more than 6 months for the Pattani Provincial Court to make an order. The society is doubtful about the fairness of the justice system in Thailand as there seems to be many barriers in accessing justice. Also as in this case justice is inordinately delayed and the justice system itself does not seem to be transparent and independent from interference by other vested interests.

The WGJP is deeply concerned about the new position of Gen.Pallop Pinmanee as the advisor of Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC). Giving responsibility of dealing with the unrest in southern provinces to Gen. Pallop Pinmanee may create further unrest in the southern most provinces and increase the number of daily killings and demonstrations against such daily violence. On 28^th April 2004, Gen. Pallop Pinmanee ordered security officers to surround the Krusae Mosque and use heavy weapons to attack the people in the Krusae Mosque. It appears that his strategies of using violence are in contradiction with government strategies that are emphasizing on cooperation with the civil society and respect for good governance to resolve the conflict in the south.

The WGJP therefore urges the government agencies to reconsider their appointment of Gen. Pallop Pinmanee to an office of responsibility in the three southern most provinces and other sensitive areas as his strategy is in contradiction with other state policies with respect to the conflict in the south.

Attachments:

1. open letter to the office of Attorney General
2. Court order Case Red number Chor 3/2549 (please send us the email if you need the court order by email, size 200K)

For further information please contact:

1. Ms.Pornpen Kongkachornkiet Mobile: +66 (0)86 709 3000
2. Mrs.Angkana Neelaphaijit Mobile: +66 (0) 84 728 0350