Amnesty International: Urgent Action Teachers and students targeted in Thailand

Amnesty International (AI): Urgent Action_TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TARGETED IN THAILAND

The lives of teachers and students in Thailand’s southern provinces are at risk. At least four teachers have been killed and two injured in targeted attacks by suspected insurgents since October. The most recent occurred on 22 November, when a headmistress was killed in Pattani Province.

On 22 November a headmistress died after two suspected insurgents shot her in the head and chest, 100 metres from her school. Since October 2012 at least four teachers have been killed and two wounded in attacks by suspected insurgents in which the teachers appear to have specifically been targeted. Teachers in southern Thailand went on strike on 27 November in a bid for greater state protection and to protest against insurgent violence. This has led to the closure of over 300 schools in the region.

Since violence by separatist insurgents began in Thailand’s southern provinces in January 2004, government teachers and state schools have been targets for attack. Media reports state that since 2004 suspected insurgents have killed more than 150 teachers and educational personnel; wounded more than 140 school staff; and conducted numerous arson and bomb attacks on schools. After a two-year lull, arson attacks on schools restarted in 2012. Attacks carried out on military personnel providing protection to schools and school buses have also led to teacher and student casualties.

Please write immediately in English, Thai or your own language:

• Urging that effective measures are immediately implemented to protect the security of teachers and students in southern Thailand;
• Take steps to ensure that suspected perpetrators of attacks, including those with command responsibility, are brought to justice, and that the victims and their families be provided with access to truth, justice and reparations;
• Acknowledging the challenge to security forces presented by such attacks, but reminding them that they have an obligation to protect civilians from abuses by insurgents, and calling on them to ensure that any counter-insurgency measures they take fully comply with Thailand’s obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 9 JANUARY 2013 TO:

Minister of Interior and Deputy Prime Minister
Chalerm Yoobamrung
Asadang Road, Ratchabophit, Bangkok 10200 Thailand Fax: +662226 4371/ 2222 8866 Email:webmaster@moi.go.th, om@moi.go.th

Salutation: Dear Deputy Prime Minister
Director Southern Border Provinces Administrative Council
Tawee Sodsong, 60 Sukyang Rd., Steag, Muang, Yala, 95000 Thailand Email: pt-112@moi.go.th, dpt-113@moi.go.th Salutation: Dear Director

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Surapong Tovichakchaikul
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, 443 Sri Ayudhya Road Bangkok 10400, Thailand Fax: +662 643 5318 Email: minister@mfa.go.th, permsec@mfa.go.

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

URGENT ACTION
TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TARGETED IN THAILAND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

According to Deep South Watch, an organization monitoring the situation in the south, more than 5,000 people have been killed since 2004 and over 9000 injured– the majority civilians. Insurgents are increasingly targeting other civilians with no role in the conflict, and spreading terror in Thailand’s south. Religious leaders, teachers, students, children, farmers, shopkeepers and civil servants are among those who have lost their lives at the hands of suspected insurgents, either as a result of targeted killings or the indiscriminate use of force.

Name: Teachers and students in Southern Thailand
Gender m/f: Both

UA: 340/12 Index: ASA 39/004/2012 Issue Date: 28 November 2012