Emergency Decree in the Deep south of Thailand and a new government at CS Hotel, Pattani

Seminar: Emergency Decree in the Deep south of Thailand and a new government On 10th September 2011 at 13.00 pm At CS Hotel, Pattani. (The discussion is conducting in Thai language)

1. Background

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s government has enforced the Emergency Decree as a tool for the unrest in the three southern border provinces of Thailand since 2005 until now. There were changes of government, all of which relentless continued to enforce the Emergency Decree in the deep south.

The six consecutive years of enforcement has drawn heavy criticism over its propriety and the impact on civilians and communities. The continuing rise in the incidence resulted from the insurgency delineated a series of unmitigated problems which could not yet be solved under the enforcement of such draconian laws.

From the statistics provided by the Southern Border Police Operation Center, from January 2004-August 2011, there were at least 12,167 incidents reported. During August 2011 alone, 53 people died. Statistics shows a sharp increase in the number of incidents in year 2007 resulted in the highest deathtoll of 4,771 which included 274 policemen, 331 soldiers, 4,166 citizens while at least 8,512 people reported injured.

At the same year, 8,000 security-related cases had been brought to court. The Court of first instance ruled 262 cases, and dismisssed 119 cases which were accounted for 45.42 percent of the total. The percentage of dismissal case is as high as the successful ones. The corollary has brought in more questions which has undermined the credible of the Thai justice system.

Until date, the government has extended the enforcement of Emergency Decree for 25 times while there has been no substantially report for the declining of incident number. The next official extension date for the Decree will be on this coming 19 September, 2011. It ill be a vital opportunity for the civil society to discuss whether the mergency Decree is the best measure to cope with the situation sustained by he concept of the rule of law.

Cross Cultural Foundation and the uslim Attorney Center Foundation[1] are organizing a forum for the local activists, law academicians and interested public to rethink about the success and failure of the enforement and the actual implementation of the Emergency Decree. At this event, all participants are encouraged to exchange ideas and give recommendations with the local authorities and state officials.

2. Objectives;

2.1 Providing a forum for the public o discuss about the failures and successes of implementation of the Emergency Decree, share ideas from the deep south.

2.2 Examining the problem of enforcement of the Emergency Decree and recommendations to the new government to prevent the violations on human rights of enforcement of the special laws.

2.3 Reviewing of the regulations under the special law to improve the policy with respect to the rule of law and human rights.

2.4 Seeking the co-operation between the government, people and the civil society in order to protect the rights of people and guarantee people to be treated equally.

3. Target

People in the deep south of Thailand /Civil society/Lawyers and paralegal. Total of 50 people.

4. Expecting Results

4.1 The participants rethink about the failures and successes of implementation of the Emergency Decree, share ideas from the deepsouth and give recommendations to the government to prevent the violations on human rights of enforcement of the special law.

4.2 The government is aware of the problem and the impact of the enforcement of the Emergency Decree, finds the appropriate solution for the people in the deep south.

4.3 To improve the regulations under the special law which violate the rule of law and human rights. 

Agenda
“Emergency Decree in the Deep south of Thailand and A New Government” On 10 September 2554 at 13.00 pm At CS Hotel Pattani.

13:00 Opening and introduction to the enforcement of the special law in the deep south. Speaker: Mr. Sittipong Jantaraviroj, Muslim Attorney Center Foundation.

13:30 Topic: Emergency Decree in the Deep south of Thailand and A New Government Speaker: Ms.Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, International Crisis Group
– Mr.Anukul Awareputeh, Muslim Attorney Center Foundation, Pattani.
– Mr. Abdulaziz Tadaein, Young Muslim Association of Thailand.

Peace Media
– Mr. Navapol Lanin, Kampongsurenae Group
– Moderator: Ms.Nuannoi Thammasatein

(Coffee/Tea Break in the session).
15:30 Q & A
16:30 Summary and closing discussion.