[Marxism] Statement from Workers' Democracy, Thailand

[Einde O'Callaghan <einde@xxxxxx>]

Bloodbath in Southern Thailand

At least 80 Southern muslims were massacred by the Thai authorities on
25th October. Those killed were part of a thousand strong demonstration
in the Southern province of Naratiwart who had assembled to demand the
release of those arrested on charges of stealing weapons from an army
camp earlier this year. It is widely believed that those in custody are
innocent. After their arrest they were systematically tortured into
giving "confessions". A leading muslim defence lawyer was about to
expose this torture and also many "disappearences" of southern muslims
at the hand of the Thai police, when he himself was abducted and
murdered by police. The government of Taksin Shinawat clearly has blood
on its hands. Last year they ordered police to kill over 2000 suspected
"drug-dealers" without any trials or need for evidence.

In the latest bloodbath, Thai security forces opened fire on a peaceful
demonstration demanding the release of those held over the gun thefts.
Firing directly into the crowd, the police killed at least 7 people.
Then they hurded around 1000 protesters on to army lorries, like packing
chickens or cattle on the way to the slaughter house. They then drove
them for hours to a detention centre. At least 80 were dead on arrival.
This can only be described as cold-blooded murder.

The Thai state annexed the 3 Southern provinces, which formed part of
the Pattani Sultanate, last century when the region was carved up by
Western Imperialism. Ever since then the local muslim population have
been treated like second class citizens. They are forced to speak Thai
at school and in dealing with oppressive officials and their culture and
religion has never been respected by the Thai Buddhist state. This is
the root cause of any opposition to the state today. Yet, when faced
with demands for basic respect, the state has always responded with
violence and lies.

This atrocity is just one more in a string of global crimes commited by
Taksin, Putin, Sharon, Bush and Blair under the pretext of "the war on
terrorism". Socialists, trade unionists and social movement activists
internationally must stand firm against this barbarity.

Victory to the people of Iraq and the Palestinians and victory to those
struggling for justice, human rights and respect in southern Thailand!!
Another World is possible, but only if we wage a relentless struggle
against Imperialism and our own ruling classes.

Giles Ji Ungpakorn
Workers Democracy, Thailand.

WD can be contacted on
<Giles.U@xxxxxxxxxxx>


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