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About anUs......................................................................................................................................1 . Aman News CenterA New Step of the Media at the End of Ax

Contents.

.Nasyid: The Song of Peace in the Deep South ...................................................................7

.Put out the Southern Fire Thai Govt. to Step out of Its Shadow. .................................11 .Foreign Journalist in the Deep South to International and Thailand ....................15

.Inquiry into the Death of Yakariya Paohmanih- Dr.Pornthips Autopsy is Not consistent with the Military..........................................................................................................................................19 .Education Problems in the Deep South Provinces an Inviolable Prob.................. 25

.We are All Relatives: Ismail Lut Japakiya ...................................................................................29 .Stop Torture and Protect Victims on the Occasion of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture .....................................................................................................................33 .Clearing the Dust.. Democrat Government Signals at Negotiation as a Way to Peace...37 .HRW Called on the Thai Government to Take Care the Deep South Teach......... 41 Air Payae Villagers and Friends Honor the Victims of Al-furqon Mosque Tragedy...45 WE PEACE http://www.wevoicepeace.org mah_pa_ta@hotmail.com PEACE MEDIA http://www.thaipublicvoice.org peacemedia2ev@gmail.com BungarayaNews http://bungarayanews.com bungarayanews@gmail.com SuaraPattani suara.pattani@gmail.com

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The Asia Foundation supports this website through a project with Aman News Center. The views express on this website are solely those of the Aman News Center and do not necessary reect the views of the Foundation.

Thursday, 14 May 2009 10:02

By Waelimoh Pusu It is undeniable that the violence in southern of Thailand has become a familiarity in Thai society. There has been a signicant decrease of news from the southern news in the mainstream media, such as TV, radio and newspaper. However, this does not mean that peoples need for information has dropped. Many of the southern Thailand observers have pointed out that the violence in the southern Thailand today as has not improved as the state tried to imply. Moreover, there are still many problems which have been neglected by the government. This is evidenced by the spread of alternative media covering south border issues besides Issara News Center.

man News CenterA New

Step of the Media at the End

institutions resulted in new radio productions, presentation the news through a website and training of citizen journalists from TV Thai. Before this, these alternative media groups had their own way of working and were not united. The important thing was that the quality news or articles was not as good as it should have been, he said. This problem led to a meeting in March 2009, which the group decided to establish a club called Peace Media Friends Club: PMFC).

of an Ax

Our main objective is to present news in the form of short articles or scoops that present various dimensions such as the impact of violence towards the way of peoples lives in the area, economic, culture, education and other many issues. This would give accurate information to people on every side and help the state create understanding, unity and peace in Aman News Center is considered the so- this land, Tuwadaniya stated. called new formation at the end of the ax. Mr. Tuwaedaniya Meringing, editor of Aman Started point of Aman News Center News Center told us about Aman News origins, which formed as a result of various The Peace Media Friends Club (PMFC) demedia groups working in the southern prov- veloped into the Aman News Center. Now ince borders came together, such as We Peace there are more than ten journalists scattered in group, Bungaraya group, Peace Media group the three southern provinces to follow news in and Suara Patani group. Some of these groups the area but not emphasizing the daily news had previously received funding from agencies (daily violence). PMFC presents news through such as Internews and the Asia Foundation. the website www.voicepeace.org in three languages- Thai, English and Malay. Training from international media development

We are lucky to have professional journalists who used to work with Issara News Center such as Mr. Natharavuth Meangsook, to be our chief editor, Mr. Ayub Pathan, from Deep South Watch (Former Issara News Center Editor ), to be our advisor, along with Professor Samatcha Nilapathama from Faculty of Science Communication, PSU. Pattani and Miss Nualnoi Thammasathian, former BBC journalist. All of them came together to assist us. I serve as editor with the duty to help our brothers and sisters do their work, Tuwaeniya, former BBC journalist in the southern provinces further stated. As someone who is familiar with the southern news, Tuwaedaniyas views that the status or standing point of Aman News Center does not overlap with Issara News Center or Deep South Watch who currently runs the news on the border news.

write or tell about things they want to through Aman News Centers website. Our goal in the future is to train people who are interested in becoming a journalist but dont have any basic training about mass communication, to become professional journalists, he said. And that was the reason why group of students called Bungaraya joined Aman News Center. Aman News Centers aim is to give an opportunity to the students to nd the facts and use peaceful ways to solve the problems according to the laws of the land. We do not have any intention to blame the government and its ocers but we want to present every side of the news in every side with accurate facts. Because the facts enable us to survive, he repeated.

Local power to ease communications and unIf you ask me whether having Issara News derstanding Center and Deep South Watch, are enough to provid the new, I would say that it is not An academician familiar with the local meabout having enough or not but rather the dia, and a an advisor of Di Slatan show, establishment of Issara News Center is from a southern Thailand radio program which is the central region, established by Thailand currently on air, Assistant Chidchanok RahimJournalist Association. Thus, the Deep South mula, deputy dean of academic, faculty of Watch is to present the research and its jour- political, PSU., Patani, gave the opinion about nalists are from the central region also. But local media that our Aman News Center was established by local people who want to tell their stories to When local people can present their opinoutsiders. ions, in whatever channel, it means that they are aware of media communications. So, if Before this, local people didnt have their many of them are recognizing the importance own news center in the local area but have of the media and different media outlets can one today. So, as an alternative, they can become a very powerful voice. In the past,

we only depended on the mainstream media. Issara News Center will always emphasize in both sides of the story. But we must not forget that Issara News Centers journalists comprise of editors from Bangkok. Before this, I accept the agencys credibility as a local media. But after the local editor was removed, everything also changed. Assistant Chidchanok Rahimmula also gave an example from abroad that if we want a a big culture to lean towards a sub-culture, we must utilize local communication. For example in England, there are many national media outlets, there are also many local ones as well. Moreover, some of the universities also have their own media. Thus, each city also has its own media such as radio, newspaper, and TV. These media outlets are very useful especially in creating better understanding of local cultures.

graduates from universities. And of course these numbers will always increase and these students will always look for some space to present their work. Local People are the Real Mr. Abduroman Sailamun, Vice President of External Affairs, a student administration organization, PSU. Pattani, team founder for Bungaraya Peace News Center (www.bungarayanews.com ), and partner of Aman News Center, said that there are not a lot of local journalists in the southern provinces even though a lot of outside journalists were in this area. There is still no local media center which was set up by local people. So its a good thing that Aman News Center was established because its made up of local journalists and people from the area. Local people can see the problems and present it better than others. Issara News Center always covers southern issues but we must not forget that there it was controlled from the central region by people who did not really understand the problems like the local people. I think that establishment of Aman News Center will show that southern journalists are as capable as others.

When a new media is established, it does not mean that the existing one was not good enough. Dont view it as a competition because the new media could be formed by a someone with specialized skills, who has his/ her own view and targeting different groups. Therefore, Aman News Center may be point out a different aspect of the news from Issara News Center, Assistant Chidchanok Rahimmula explained on the issue of Aman News I think its very promising that we now have overlap with Issara News Center and further one more alternative media because it will stated that provide another forum for outsiders to view the news. In the past, outsiders were served There will be more local alternative media the accurate and inaccurate information that established in this area in the future. Dont they are sometimes led to believe that they forget that there are so many communications are getting the right facts. The news media

fails to discuss the repercussions of such reporting. Therefore, a new alternative media can ll the gaps absent from the mainstream media. Moreover, Aman News Center is established by native journalists who were born, working and ready to die here. I think this is very good for us. I dont think Issara News Center and Aman News Centers goals are any different because the journalists aim to present the news and facts from different sides. The only difference is whether the journalist is an insider or outsider, he repeated. This is a new step for news media in southern Thailand and an important milestone for Aman News Center.

Nasyid: The Song of Peace in the Deep South

and Fatihah Group, who are aliated with Tepa -Abdulrahman Sailamu Electronics Company; Sarm-Pee-Nong Toh Bana -Areepeng Yeh group, who used to aliate with Tepa Electronics -Bungaraya Group but are now independent and produce their own albums; and a Nasyid group of college students During ve years of violence in the three south- from the Prince of Songkla University, Pattani ern border provinces, all media outlets have fo- Campus (PSU, Pattani). cused only on reporting violent incidents rather than the social and cultural issues that represent The most well-known Thai Nasyid group today is the identity and way of life of the indigenous the Fiklis troupe, which is the ensemble of the people in these three provinces. Kumpulan Anasyid, a group of young Muslims who love singing Nasyid. Although the unique culture and lifestyle of the people in these areas may have been overlooked Fiklis was founded in 2004 by three ustazs or reduced in importance, a number of move- (religious teachers at Islamic private schools) in ments have sprung up to restore peace amid the Narathiwat. The idea was to create a group of explosions, gun shots, and violence by utilizing young people and let them show their talents and the unique identity of the dignied Malayu Mus- to unify them. These founders are Mr. Houseen lim. Abdul Rahman, Mr. Adul-ayi Yuno and Lana Siposamae, who trained and conducted the group. One such movement is the use of Nasyid They have been associated with Nasyid perfor(anasyid), a sweet song in Yawi (local Muslim mance for a long time and have served as judges language) with a melody similar to any string or for many Nasyid singing contests. Fiklis (also popular music. The Nasyid song does, however, known as Naysid for Peace) aims to promote have a unique characteristic: its lyrics focus on good deeds, a faith in Allah, an awareness of the teaching of Islam to bring peace. the virtue of the prophet Nabi Muhammad, and a medium to spread the principle to all people that With regard to Nasyid singing troupes, there is a Islam means peace. very famous and perhaps the most popular troupe of all called RAIHAN, a group from Malaysia Nasyid is an art of entertainment that is being who came to perform in Pattani 4 years ago. The looked upon suspiciously by outsiders who are troupe uses Nasyid song to praise the power of not familiar with it, as well as those who lack Allah and His messenger, Muhammad. Today in knowledge of Malayu Muslim society. The interThailand, and especially in the southern border esting question is - can Nasyid bring about real provinces, there are a number of people forming peace? singing groups that compose and perform Nasyidstyled songs to fulll the need of entertainment Houseen Abdul Rahman, one of the founders in the way of Islam. For example, Nurul Iman revealed that the FIKLIS group, also known as
Thursday, 09 April 2009 15:59

Nasyid for peace, was established ve years ago with the collaboration of Adul-ayi Yuno and Lana Siposamae. It aims to promote good deeds, a faith in God Allah, an awareness of the virtue of the prophet Nabi Muhammad, and a medium to spread the principle of Islam to all the people that Islam means peace.

successful. Nasyid Song for Peace promotes the understanding of diversity in the areas and tries to help the society to have peace.

The lead vocalist of Fiklis, Mr. Salman Sirako, who is the student of Islamic Education in the College of Islamic Study, PSU Pattani, said Nasyid for Peace is a good activity for the When talking about peace, we shall look back kids and youth to demonstrate their personal to the religion of Islam because the meaning capability and to contribute good things to the of Islam is peacefulness. Therefore, it is not society. doubtful whether the Nasyid will bring peace or not. The meanings of the lyrics are to invite I am very glad to be part of the Fiklis family. people to Al-Islam; in other words, an invita- Ive never expected that I would be able to tion to peacefulness. It also helps to boost the get to this point. As a student, I dont think ability of the children and youth in the three the government has any negative idea about southern border provinces, Fiklis co-founder us because what we did is to help bring peace Ustaz Houseen said. to the region. He also added that the group was invited to perform on stage in several places in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani, as well as outside the area in places like Phang Nga and Bangkok. However, the management of the groups budget is defrayed by the founders themselves. I dont know how the government sees our Nasyid group, but we have nothing to hide. We do it openly without any hidden agenda and with a good intention, answered the cofounder of Nasyid for Peace in regards to the governments views toward the group. Their task is similar to Dawah or Islamic evangelism, because the singing of Nasyid song is the propagation of Islamic principles and praise of God. Fiklis lead singer concluded that the society in southern border provinces is multi-cultural, with ethnic, religious, traditional, and cultural diversity. Therefore, it is hopeful that Nasyid song would be used as a medium to restore peace in the region. The reason is because Nasyid song is an embodiment of Muslim faith, the propagation of Islamic gospel via music and song in praise of God. It reminds people of their faith to do good deeds for Allah as well as to teach, in their own ways, people of different religious faiths to understand the good aspect of Muslims thoughts and beliefs.

All in all, it is a promotion of peace in the southern border provinces through the song Ustaz Houseen nally said that the government called Nasyid. and private organizations should promote the Fiklis troupes activities to continue and to be

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Tuesday, 30 June 2009 11:54

ut out the Southern Fire Thai Govt. to Step out of Its Shadow.
teachers and explosion happened in the city, the news became attractive to all people. Considering the indiscriminate shooting in the mosque and other events that had occurred since last month to date, its seen that rate of violence are very clear and indicates that the terrorists intended to create a condition of violations to be more serious.

Nattarawuth Muangsuk Again the most recurring violence happened, when gangsters shot indiscriminately inside a mosque in Juab sub-district, Joh Irong district of Narathiwat province. The event resulted in the death of 11 Muslim and many were injured. Again, it was an awesome period and severely hurt the feeling of people in the 3 provinces because the victims were Muslim people who were performing their prayers in the mosque while the violent went on without any sense of humanity or fear of God in any way. Although the identities of the bandits were still unknown, one academician had analyzed that it was an attempt by Jihad groups to ignite a religion war again. Looking back to the events starting from the end of May, its seen that there were some attempts to create new violations again after its missing for quite a long time and when most of Thai people were more interested in central politics only.

He added that the judgment delivered by the Songkhla provincial court in the Tak Bai case was also a very interesting point because it may be an another important cause that could make the situations even worst. That was an example of a step which did not pass ones own shadow that is honest justice without considering the general effect of the judgment. Actually, the judgment was only a few days before the shooting of teachers happened.

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All of conditions remain in full and only waits for its impulsive. The judgment was very contrast with the feeling of the Muslim in the area. In fact, the former Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont tried to stop the root cause of the problem. Shooting the teachers and innocent people in Therefore, this time was truly an error of policy, an inhuman way and the bomb blast in Yingo he stated. district were considered as one of the biggest issue. Furthermore, attacks on teachers security Analysis of the violent nature of this troubleunits and indiscriminate shooting in the mosque makers may be in consistent with was said by were said to be attempts to increase the level of Spokesman of the Internal Security Administrative violation to be more serious or up to the level Division 4, Colonel Parinya Chaidilok who stated of terrorism. Now, the daily killings are no longer that the troublemakers intended to see two things become the interesting things because the gov- - one was problem between the local people and ernment itself always talks about something else, government ocers and another was between not the south problems. Only when shooting of Muslim and Buddhists. The indiscriminate shoot-

ing in the mosque when the Muslims were performing their prayers was considered as a very severe thing and it might lead to the condition to fulll Jihad. However, the local said that the criminals came by their motorbikes and walked into the mosque. Therefore, it should be people who knew the way well and not soldiers as rumored. Though there was rumors about the declination of governments action but it could not deny rumors about its action. This is because before the event took place, a Buddhist man was shot in Ruso district and a teacher security car was bombed in the same district. Actually these two places were very near to each other and it may cause a vengeance. Villagers thought that when a severe case involved a Thai Buddhist or to the authorities, the case will happen Muslims after that. Therefore, its nothing to say than avenge. The most interesting point is that the place is a red area where it is always suspected about hiding of the incendiary and frequently raided by the ocers. Moreover, the shooting always occurred continuously in this area. Thus, the area itself was surrounded by the other red areas. The local opinion, even its not with strong evidences, its powerful. When it became the topic of the town and spread from one to another, at last it will be considered as true. Therefore, the government must accelerate efforts to eliminate this ambiguity by investigation and disclose the truth as soon as possible. Dont forget about the Muslim brotherhood in these three provinces and throughout the world. This is because when news was disseminated throughout the world that there was a shooting of innocent people in a mosque while they were performing prayers and resulted in 11 dead and many injured, of course they would feel very angry. Acceleration of healing among the locals, especially their relatives as soon as possible and break up all conditions which might lead to the next violation, because this case might not stop as a lesson only, Thai government can arrange all things, but the rst thing is to step out of its shadow

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provinces and four districts of Songkhla to be 5 years the deep south violence independent. Thus, it was a word of shoddy By Editorial terrorists in the sight of Thaksin Shinnawatra, the former leader of Thailand at that time. The deep south problem is the Thai internal However, the opposite sides stated that they problem did not mean to separate the land of Thais South terrorists are the shoddy terrorists but to call back their land where the Thais 5 December the south will be peace had occupied it for almost one hundred years, and it was their right to do according to the These are the various opinion and words (in international law. the past) of the former leader of Thailand towards the violence in the deep south of Thai- The event made the south known to the world land which ever past through both media of in through foreign media. Besides, showing the and out of country. world knew that there were the Malayu Muslim minority who have their own language and Before the event of rearm robbery at the culture in the south of Thailand. beginning of 2007 it was seen that the news about this extreme-ax of Thailand were not The event of bloodshed at 28th April, 2004 much presented to the world, because at that or its known well as the Kreasek event time the problems of the deep south were not where it led to 106 deaths and the event of much interesting in the sight of foreign media, integrating the demonstrators in front of the even the conict and violence have continu- Takbai police station, Narathiwat province of ingly happened since Pattani state was ruled which the tragedy of transporting the demby Siam in 1786 and united to the country of onstrators from Takbai to Ingkhayuthaborihan the Thais at 10th March, 1909 under the treaty camp, Nongchik district, Pattani province and between Siam and England ( Treaty Anglo- caused the deaths by the way of overlaying Siam) which will be the 100th anniversary at and suffocation. Furthermore, the event of killthis coming 10th March, 2009. ing the 2 marines at Tanyonglimor villagae, Rangea district, Narathiwat province also was The rearm robbery at the fourth development a phenomenon known as No Thai media division camp or Pileng camp at 4th January, where the villagers asked for the Malay media 2004 where the security units has specied to come and present the news. These 3 imthat it was the action of the separatists group portant events were very attractive for foreign who want to separate the three deep south journalists to come. So from the Thai internal
Wednesday, 04 March 2009 10:47

oreign Journalist in the Deep South to International and Thailand

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problem automatically it was up the level to the external unavoidable. Thus, such media or which is known as the foreign journalists had come to the deep south and found out the reality through out 5 years. As one of the person who always follows the news and works with the foreign media throughout the 5 years. There are so many foreigner journalists come to Pattani doing the news and scoop about the deep south of Thailand such as TVs., radios, newspapers, websites, independent academicians, world Muslim organization, embassy ocers and also human right units un-repeatedly.

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Foreign medias do not only present the going on situations but also present the feature articles about way of life, religion and culture of the people, to make the world knows the facts. Such reporting news are both in positive and negative for Thailand unavoidable. All this is due to their point of view. The world news bureau such as CNN, BBC, ABC, AFP, AP, REUTERS, NHK, KTB, including the media from Arabic and neighboring countries i.e. Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The setting up of Aljazeera news station in English division is eye-caught by everywhere in the world because its sponsored by Qatar. The news bureaus of Arabic world have improved themselves to be the important competitor of giant news bureau like CNN, BBC, ABC, etc., because of its professional.

The things became more interesting when Aljazeera had set up its main branch in Asia Pacic region at Malaysia in 2005. Thus, the violence in the deep south of Thailand then became its interesting implicitly. Aljazeera had sent its journalists to produce scoop and reporting the news throughout 2006 and 2007. In addition, they also had paid a huge budget to report the situation in the deep south of Thailand. In the middle of 2007 Aljazeera also had come to the deep south to take the live news and presenting the articles about the deep south by using the Krusek mosque and Sirinthorn camp to be the back scenes of the presentation with the good cooperation and facilitation from the Internal Security Administration Division 4 through out the broadcast and going down to the area. Up to this time the problems of the deep south of Thailand are no longer the internal problem because the news have disseminated to everywhere in the world whereas the problems of human right also becomes the world topic to chat about. Thus, the innocent people and ocers lives of more than 3,000 and the numbers of more than thousands of handicapped people were the big amount of loss where it had raised the level of violence and its impact to one more step. Therefore, this area is no longer the normal conict area. Media is like the two-edged in the conict area because the presentation can be both in the positive and negative to the area. Recently, the violence in the deep south provinces of Thailand is already presented to the world also some facts which are not in the sight

of Thai media as well. This is the result of opening the boarder of media in the modern-day world. And should we look at this phenomenon without concern? Or should we wait till it becomes as the second place of Iraq then the government and terrorists will try to nd out the way to solve the problems?

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nquiry into the Death of Yakariya PaohmanihDr.Pornthips Autopsy is Not consistent with the Military
death of a Muslim. The investigation occurred in the presence of the victims relatives and other observers.

Wednesday, 03 June 2009 22:32

Kausar Alimamah.

Volunteer assistant attorney at Muslim At- During the inquiry, Dr. Pornthip discussed the torney Centre, Yala (MACMUSLIM). characteristics of two types of wounds, formed as a result of shooting as well as bruises, Khunying Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand testied to take into consideration that Mr. Yakariyas to Yala court on the controversial death of Ya- was the result of contusion or gun shots. She kariya Paohmanih while he was under arrest. also talked about the kind of the bullets used The famous doctor indicated that he was shot and the examination of the bullet to consider but she was not able to examine the car in the direction of the shooting. This piece of custody. Therefore she could not analyze the evidence may be used to refute the testibullet path and direction. However, the autopsy mony of an ocer who claimed earlier that result conrmed that his bones were fractured Mr.Yakariyas car was ambushed and that he as a result of being beaten and punched prior was shot by an AK-47. to being shot. His wife and child continue to struggle to survive following the lost of the Dr. Pornthip testied that her autopsy found head of their family. that the dead body had four bullet wounds. The wounds were caused by two types of In the morning of Tuesday April 7, 2009, Yala bullets- an AK-47 and a presumably pistol court investigated the cause of the death of bullet. The testimony of Dr. Pornthip in this isZakariya or Yakariya Paohmanih which oc- sue contradicts with the ocer who previously curred while he was put under ocial arrest testied that criminal only used an AK-47 in at the Department of Scout 41, Raman, Yala the attack. on 28 June 2550. In the investigation, Khunying Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, head of the After the testimony, Mr.Sitthipong Chantrawiroj, Central Institute of Forensic Science, Minis- attorney for the opposition in this case said try of Justice, testied as the rst and only to MACMUSLIM that There is a contradiction witness on behalf of relatives of the victim. between the words of Dr.Pornthip and the auKhunying Pornthip testied based on autopsy topsy doctor at the hospital who examined the results. This was the rst and possibly only direction of the bullet from the two wounds. As case related to the southern conict where a result of performing an autoposy, Dr.Pornthip autopsy was used to determine the cause of

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she could determine more facts. She indicated that the criminal was on the right side of the deceased.However, the preceding ocial testimony stated that the ambush occurred from the left side of the deceased. According to Dr. Porntip, the police and military had not cooperated with her in getting information about the custody car. Therefore she could not examine and collect evidence to prove the bullet clues on the car and was not able to determine how the victim was shot. She added that if she got the full information, she could examine this issue further, which is within the capacity of the Central Institute of Forensic Science.

the bruised wounds especially on his chest and broken breastbone was a result of having been hit with a solid material, which occurred before being shot. Dr. Pornthip indicated that bruised wounds were often found in torture cases.

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Evidence of Torture All Over the Dead Body.

In addition, the attorney of the case also examined the wounds on the dead body. Dr. Pornthip indicated that the bruised wounds were around the body, including a large chest wound, which is approximately 20 cm wide. Therefore, to determine whether the deceased died from shooting or the bruised wounds, she decided to dissect him and found that the breastbone was broken but did not cut through the lungs. Therefore it could not be considered as the cause of death. However, she speculated that

Meanwhile, the attorney of the case, Sitthipong, noted that He was likely to have been tortured and might have died from mystery bullets. Dr. Porntips autopsy results are in-

consistent with the testimony of the custody investigated for over two years. The testimony ocial. of Dr. Pornthip, the opposition witness, serves as the nal testimony before the Yala court is Before this investigation, the prosecutor had expected to issue a verdict on June 12, 2009 interrogated eight witnesses, including the wife at 9:00 am. of the deceased, four military ocials, and the

Investigation of death case

In the article, The Investigation in case of death in Tak Bai: For justice and the Truth by Benchamas Bunyarit, which was published in deepsouthwatch. org, discusses cases of extrajudicial killings, such as in the case where the deceased was killed by the ocial who claims to have done so in the name of duty (such as a ght between offender and ocer and the ofcer shoots the offender dead or he dies while in ocial custody who claims that he performs his duty). This includes cases of arresting, detention or imprisonment under all circumstances, as these are considered unnatural deaths under the law. The cause of death is not natural and associated with authorizes therefore it is necessary to perform an autopsy by the order of prosecutor, administrative ocial from the bailiff or the equivalent with the inquiry ocial and autopsy doctor. Then the inquiry ocial submits the case to prosecutor. The prosecutor will then request the court to investigate the death and issue an ocial document stating

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doctor who performed the autopsy from Yala Hospital. The investigation is in accordance with a law that allows for an investigation of death that occurs while under ocial arrest. The cause of Mr. Yakariyas death has been

the identity of the deceased, place and time of death, and the circumstances of death. However, this investigation has nothing to do with allegations around the cause of death or whether they are guilty.

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Out of fear of being arrested by the ocers, villagers gathered together in the village mosque. At that time, they believed that the mosque is the safest place. Furthermore, the performing religious rituals and the companAt the same time, relatives of the deceased ionship of one another can help them build above have the right to seek other experts to morale. So more and more people sought refrefute the courts expert opinions and provide uge at the mosque. further evidence. This can provide justice to the deceased and protect his rights, especially But later, ocials enclosed the mosque area in nding the cause of death. If no one chal- and began to investigate. They did not nd lenges the investigation, it becomes one-sid- anything illegal. When the examination was ed. The court could potentially issue an order completed, around 30-40 male and female vilthat the death occurred by accident or other lagers were rounded up into the ocers car. causes that relieves the ocials of any guilt. In addition, ocers also conscated the propHowever, when the adduction of witness is erty of the mosque such as pots, pans, dishes, completed and the court has issued an order, glasses and rice. The villagers were controlled the court order is considered nal. The people in several locations, such as Inkayut Boriharn involved can no longer appeal to Court of Ap- camp in Nongchick, Pattani, Scout camp at Lampraya subdistrict Muang, Yala, the military peal or the Supreme Court. camp at golf links in Banglang Dam, a camp Retrace the death of Mr.Yakariya at Bannangsta Indra Chat school and others.

Paohmanih
For the villagers of Kholor Balae,Bannangsta district, Yala, memories of being blockaded by the soldiers on early morning of June 23, 2007, is still fresh in their minds as if it was yesterday, although nearly two years has passed. That morning, villagers saw a large group of soldiers jumping from a car which was parked in the village. They heard the sound of boots followed by a voice yelling orders to the villagers in the neighborhood to stay in their homes. At that time, it was the governments policy to take over the southern border and Bannangsta is one of 17 operations.

Two days after the event, ocers arrested more people in the Korlorbalae village and one of them was Mr. Yakariya Paohmanih. He had been arrested at the same time as Mr.Mayateng Marano, a janitor at Ban Banglang School, Moo 3, Bachoh subdistrict, Bannangsta district, who has since gone missing. After Mr. Yakariya was arrested, his family was not able to visit him. One of the reasons was that no one knew where he was. The ocers also did not allow people to leave the village, due to the curfew under martial law. On the day he was arrested, his youngest son requested to accompany him, but of-

of the neighbors, construction of the house was nished. A month following his death, his wife requested the eldest daughter to get married in order for the family to have a leader. The daughter nally agreed because she had pity on her mother and her brothers, leaving behind her dreams to continue her study and was not ready to get married. From visiting Mr. Yakariyas family, it is clear that they need a head of household. The mother said On June 29, 2007, Mr.Yakariyas neigh- that if someone mentions the dead farther, the bor who is a member of Tambon Administra- youngest son would still cry. He often asks tive Organization told his family that he was when his father would be home. dead. His body was found in Yala hospital. Upon hearing the news, Hasnah, the wife of With regard to Mr.Yakariyas death while in Yakariya became unconscious. After she woke ocial custody, the Muslim Attorney Centre up, everyone in the house went to the hospital (MAC) and Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF) to bring the body home in order to conduct a have been providing Mr. Yakariyas family with religious ceremony. At the hospital, a hospital legal assistance. When the court appointed staff notied the relatives of Mr.Yakariya that them to investigate the cause of his death, there would be an autopsy performed on his his wife and children listened to the investibody to nd the facts behind his death. Then gation thoroughly. His children said that they the relatives brought the body back home. want to hear everything involving investigation When they saw the condition of the body because they want to know Who killed our which showed traces of injury and an autopsy father?........ already having been performed on it, they suspected abnormalities around this death. cials did not allow it. Since then, the youngest son called out to his father all the time. He refused to eat and told his mother that he will only eat when the father comes back. The mother told him that the father had just gone out to work, and that he would come back again soon. But this only kept him temporarily quiet because when the dawn came, the boy would cry for his father again.

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A Family Without a Leader

Following the death of Mr. Yakariya, his family faced many diculties. They did not have a breadwinner. This caused the eldest daughter and the second son leave school halfway to help the mother earn a living. However, before his death, Yakariya had started to build a small house. With the support

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Sunday, 21 June 2009 07:48

Nattharawuth Muangsuk

ducation Problems in the Deep South provinces an inviolable Problem.

in other subjects as well. The second thing is to develop the teachers because we must pay attention to both secular and religious education. There must be measurements for both educations, secular and Islamic courses. We will set the plan and its indicators next time.

If the education in the deep south provinces is deemed substandard because students Thai language is not good that caused weaknesses in other subjects. This statement, the speakers themselves did not understand the problems than the others. Thus, It seemed that they did not understand what were the problems There was nothing wrong with the statement of secular education in the deep south, and made by the Education Minister and his idea its standard? should be given due consideration. However, when asked is the problem affecting children Last week, Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, the Minister in the southern provinces at the moment, his of Education came to Pattani province. The answer was not the cause but its a result main aim was to offer a 15-year free education of the inviolable problems where the ministry policy schools in the deep south. He also took of education could not answer for all the time. the opportunity to meet with administrators of It seems that since the southern violence beIslamic private school in the border southern gan, every government and ministers could not provinces, together with their students and settle this problem. In contrast, they used a parents, and also explained the governments cursory method of assessment to evaluate the free education policy. students in the southern provinces and concluded that they had a lower standard than During his proclamation, he stated that cur- the others in this country. rently, the education standard in the deep south provinces is the lowest in term of edu- Evaluation criteria that emphasize on knowlcational success in the country. This must be edge of Thai was not the right answer for the solved urgently. The result of the O-net test people in this area since most of them did not showed that students in the three southern use Thai language in their daily lives. Students border provinces were ranked between 74 and only use Thai language in front of the class or 76 in the county. Therefore, he outlined three only to present their works to their teachers. things that needed to done urgently, namely Therefore, Thai language was not necessary for development budget for Thai language because them. The word ocial language was very students in the deep south provinces are weak far off them. in the language which led to the weaknesses

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I agreed with the way to add more Thai teachers in this area and upgrade the capability of the students in the southern provinces. However, if its expected that the whole systems should be successful I have to say that such method cannot resolve the problems. Thus, locals should not be evaluated by Onet standard because most of the schools are using two systems where the students must learn both secular and religious subjects. Religious or Ponok school was considered as the school where most of the students should go through because the religious knowledge was more important than the secular knowledge.

If the students were weak in Science, Social or Mathematics and concluded that its because of weaknesses in Thai language, its wrong. This conclusion seemed too rude to accept. Can the setting systems and all standards be used to all groups of people or should it create a new specic standard thats something the government should think about. Dont let the children in the southern provinces to be evaluated as weak or low standard than the standard of central education while they must bear both styles of educations, secular and religious studies. Nobody can answer about their capabilities but for them its a duty to do and perform it as the best as they can.

Students outside the 3 provinces or others who use Thai language in their daily lives have more chances to practice Thai language compared to Malay students. If the same standard of evaluation was used, denitely the answer would be different and its not the The result of evaluation led to a prejudice in right standard. some groups and judged that they lacked capability and should not be accepted to further Teachers in the southern provinces, although their educations. The comments from a leader could not indicate the standard, but by the of the country had affected their opportunity way of studying two system of education, to do something in their lives. where the students must study harder than the others who study in one system only. Its As a result, the important question is where a belief that the ministry of education should the real problem is? understand it as well. In the morning of May 13, where it was the

1st day of semester, about hundred students of Bukit Pracha Uppatham School, Cho I Rong district, Narathiwat province, had to stand in front of two ruined buildings which were set on arson on April 27. The students must use a temporary place to study, and almost without any education equipments. Moreover, they had to sit on the mats for lunch because all their tables and chairs were burnt as well. And at the Yala special shooting range 15, at Yilapan village, Moo 11 Talingchan, Bannangsata district, Yala province, Lieutenant General Chalemphorn Khamkeow, Yala special commander 15 together with Police General Sompiarn Phuwaphongphithak, Bannang Sata police superintendent and Narin Saro, director of Yala Educational Area 2, led teachers and educational ocers who had worked in Bannangsata district. Sixty people participated in a shooting training course. The training was divided into 2 rounds. In the morning, the training was about understanding how to use a gun or rearm, the related laws with gun, the direction of semiautomatic pistol (magazine) and revolver. In the afternoon, the training involved practice session using real bullets.

The project was set up in this area due to its high risk and violence always happen to these ocer groups and affected their condence. The security unit, therefore, created this shooting project in order to increase their condence level to protect themselves. This is the real problem of education in the southern provinces. The schools were burnt as a natural thing. Thus, the teachers lives were also put to risk. Some of them asked to move to safer area and some went for shooting training. Their activities reected that the educational ocers could not use their full capabilities because they had to be responsible for teaching and safety. In contrast, the government itself did not look for solutions, and instead gave the teachers shooting training with hopes that they would continue their teaching completely. Since one of their hands had to hold the pen and a pistol on their wrist, should we hope that they could perform their duties completely or perfect as the teachers in Bangkok did? This was the only problem where the leader of the country never got the answer.

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e are All Relatives: Ismail Lut Japakiya

The word taqwa, to respect or to believe in, is being used to promote projects whose development ideology rested on religious values. The rst kampong taqwa was built in Medina. The prophet Mohammad led his followers to construct the village. It was built for a cause and I think the conditions which allowed it to happen should be learned. It is not necessary that everyone needs to be taqwa, respected. Although the others have their own families to taqwa, we all have to accept the conditions. If we think the goodness of Islam is still a necessary thing for us then we should taqwa Islam, said Dr Lut. He emphasized on the differences of taqwa of each individual which represents different beliefs.

Friday, 24 July 2009 22:54

Nattrawut Muangsuk Violence has again ared up in the three southern provinces of Thailand with the massacre of ten Muslims praying at the Al-furkon mosque in I-Payae village, Cho Ai Rong district, Narathiwat and the killing of a Buddhist monk in Muang district, Yala. Analysts and security ocers hinted that the incidents could be an attempt to provoke a religious confrontation between Muslims and Buddhists. While the motives for the crimes are not yet known, the violence has inamed feelings and increased distrust in the region. This is perhaps a time to bring back the idea of a pluralist society, of being different yet having no divisions, of society as consisting of owers of many colors.

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He then explained that all religions have ve Speaking at the event of the promotion of elements in common. the idea of the kampong takwa or village of respect, in Yala on July 20, Dr. Ismail Lut First is humanity. We are all human beings. Japakiya, rector of the Yala Islamic University We are all equal and all created by Allah. In and a well-respected expert on Islam, touched the eyes of Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and upon the sensitive issue of the differences be- Muslims alike are created by God. They think tween the two religions, Buddhism and Islam. everyone is Gods servant. The fact that many people do not believe this doesnt in any way A village without respect could bring prob- change Gods status as our creator. lems, said Dr Lufti. Anyone using the word Kampong Taqwa should be very careful since Secondly, according to Islam, all men are the the word is music to the ears, but the idea children of Adam who fathered us all. behind it is very dicult to implement. Third, we are all living in the period of the

prophet Mohammad. We are all in the same era and are the prophets people whether we believe in it or not. It is like Thailand now being under Prime Minister Apisit Vejajiva. The Yellows like him but the Reds do not accept him, but still we have him as our prime minister and no one else. The Prophet Mohammad is the leader of all the people and it doesnt matter if some of them do not follow or respect him. Fourth, the Prophet Mohammad received the commandment from Allah that all people are relatives to each other. The prayer says, I maintain that all men are brothers and hence we should not quarrel and even if we do we should do it like relatives would. There are different kinds of relatives, those from other mothers or fathers, and relatives from different religions. But Islam accepts these differences. It is not that people from different religion cannot be regarded as their relatives. The last point is that every religion has a similar teaching, that we are all enemies to the devils no matter in what form. If they are bad, then all the religions say those are the enemies. Dr. Luts comment was from an expert on Islam. Such a warning from someone of his caliber should be listened to by everyone in the area. But above all, it falls directly on the security ocers to bring out the truth and to do it fast.

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that torture is a severe human right violation. Statement The Thai government ratied the convention against torture or CAT on November 2007 Mr.Makta Harong and others were ar- but still requires more efforts to implement its rested and allegedly tortured after a raid on obligations. an army camp on the 4th January 2004. The prosecutor subsequently decided not to pursue Recent developments have led to several the case. Mr. Eakkawat Seemanta was severely cases of torture are being investigated and tortured by a police ocer at a police station brought to the justice system: 1) Mr.Makta in Phra Nakhonsriayuttaya Province on the 2-3 Harongs case is currently in the process of November 2004. Mr. Kietisak Thitboonkrong investigation by the National Anti-Corruption was made disappeared from a police station Commission, 2) the Department of Special Inin Kalasin province in July 2004 and couple vestigation (DSI) is ling a case against nondays later found death with bruises all over commissioned and commissioned ocers at the body. These are only a few examples of Uthai Police Station in Phra Nakhonsriayuttaya numerous torture cases that have taken place Province regarding Mr. Eakkawats case, 3) a throughout Thailand, particularly in minority post-mortem trial on the death by torture of areas. Imam Yapa Kaseng at Ruesoh District in NaraOne reason these abuses continue to thiwat Province concluded with the courts occur is the fact that Thai society has little ruling that the prosecutor should determine awareness of their rights which are protected the perpetrator, 4) The DSI has led an arby the constitution and numerous international rest warrant to couple of police ocers from human rights covenants to which Thailand is Kalasin police station regarding the case of a signatory. Mr. Kietisaks and giving witness protection to Mr Kietisaks relatives, and 5) other cases in Today, Thais have learned that tor- the southern border provinces where abusive ture is a crime at the international level. The ocers were found guilty and received both United Nations (UN) has recognized this and disciplinary punishment and charges under the created several international mechanisms, in- criminal code. cluding the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment Many countries have been campaigning or Punishment (CAT) and the Special Rappor- to stop torture, to end the culture of impunity, teur on Torture. Through the campaigning ef- to protect witnesses, to appropriate reparations forts of non-governmental organizations (NGO) to the victims and to make torture a crime and civil society, Thais are now more aware by law.
Friday, 26 June 2009 21:44

top Torture and Protect Victims on the Occasion of International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

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On occasion of the UN declared International Day in Support of Victim of Torture, commemorated every year on June 26, the Working Group on Justice for Peace (WGJP) has the following demands to the Thai government: 1. Make torture a crime under domestic law and bring perpetrators to the justice system. 2. Establish an effective agency to protect victims for testimony according to the justice process. 3. Create mechanisms and agencies, with independent budgets, to investigate allegations, pursue cases according to the law and provide reparations for the victims. 4. Ratify the Optional Protocol on Torture, including permission of regular visit to the places of detention and individual complaints. WGJP urges the Thai Government and Thai society to place greater importance on the elimination of torture and to push forward in creating the mechanisms needed to permanently stop torture in Thailand and return human dignity to everyone with the basis of equality under the law. Working Group on Justice for Peace 24/158 Soi. Ladpharo 21, Ladphrao Rd., Ladphrao, Jatujak, BKK 10900 Tel. 0 2975 9975 email: wgjp.bkk@gmail.com

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learing the Dust.. Democrat Government Signals at Negotiation as a Way to Peace

Another interesting aspect of this conference was the morning session, held prior to the discussion of the report ndings, which was attended by academics from Thailand and other countries, especially the negotiators of the Aceh conict from the Indonesia government who shared their experiences with conference participants on the negotiation process. Participants included community leaders, local government ocials and academic experts of southern Thailand provinces.

Wednesday, 29 April 2009 17:47

Nattravut Muangsuk Amidst the conict and violence in the southern provinces during the past ve years, peace negotiations from time to time by security units, the media, academicians, and local people in the deep south. However there have been different reactions by opposing sides, namely the Thai government and underground insurgents, alleged as terrorists. Some underground groups may seem to accept negotiation as a means of ending violence and creating peace. However, they are also reluctant because the governments actions are different. The government not only refuses to open up a dialogue but refuse to mention it.

Mr. Yuhar Christense, from Finland, who was a coordinator of the peace process in Aceh was of particular interest. He stated that although the problems in Aceh were different than those of southern Thailand, there were some common themes, especially on the issues of race, ethnicity, and religion which were also On March 30th, the Extraordinary Education- apparent in both Aceh and Northern Ireland. al Commission Considering the Issue of the Southern Border Provinces, the House of Rep- In 2002 I used to work with a private orresentatives held a seminar at the Royal River ganization and had to travel to Aceh. I met hotel, Bangkok, on the topic of How the will a representative of the Free Aceh Movement the violence in the deep south end?. The (GAM). His name was Salim Abdullah. I dismain objective of seminar was to present the cussed the idea of peace negotiation with him summary report of studying the problems of and he agreed with. Then, we moved to talk unrest in the deep south by the seven sub- in Stockholm, Sweden. After that I went to committees, set up a year ago, each respon- Indonesia and met an Indonesian minister and sible for a different issue. PM Aphisit Vejja- told him that I had already met the GAM repjiva attended seminar and addressed a special resentative. He looked shocked but then I got speech laying out the policy for solving the a very good cooperation from the Indonesian problems in the southern provinces. government.

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Mr. Yuhar Christense, the General Manager for PACTA Finland and PACTA Asia and a member of the Crisis Management Initiative CMI in Aceh and also was a mediator for both sides, stated after his visit to Thailand that he was glad to see that the government and military are sending a positive signal by taking a proactive role in solving the problem.

Although it was still not an ocial policy put forward from the national security unit, it sent a signal.

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Assistant Professor Dr.Mark Tamthai, Director of Institute of Religion, Culture and Peace, from Payab University, stated that procedure of peace negotiation was very important and it was the time to start such a procedure in In addition, the Finish coordinator for peace the southern provinces. This not be affected negotiations further stated that he also had by the change of government or shuing of met the members of southern Thailands sep- power within the military. aratist movement but did not mention the groups name or any details about the dis- The academician from Payab University again cussion besides that the discussion aimed at compared the peace procedure to that of buildnegotiating peace. He also stated that the pro- ing a house that isnt available on the market cess would take time and perseverance from and the person that would coordinate the all parties involved, as in the Aceh case which peace negotiation process is the architect. Alwas not achieved in a short period of time though they have coordinated such a process but required multiple procedures. They also elsewhere, we can use the same architect but held talks at Stockholm (Sweden) and Helsinki not the structure of the house that they had (Finland) for seven days. After that, they had build previously because the environment and to coordinate for more than 7 months before context are different. having success. Our case is very different and our political Besides Mr. Yuhar, there was also H.E Daniel system has not developed to the level of the Pruce, Amabssador of the United Kingdom British government that used to deal with to Thailand, who talked about the peace ne- Northern Ireland. We should ask the people gotiation process in northern Ireland joined who lived in the architects building and ask by Assistant Professor Dr. Chanthana Banpha- the academics who were there when the sirishoti Wankaew, an academician from the house was built. If we want to learn we must Faculty of Political Science, at Chulalongkorn listen to different sides, he stated and further University. The seminar concluded with a added, This was the rst time that this kind of seminar of was organized by the House of Representatives led by the Democrat government specically discussing the issue of negotiation. There are four steps of negotiation: 1). Before negotiating, where we must talk to all groups, including those that incite violence or may be we had already talked with this group with-

out knowing; 2). Formal negotiation towards creating a road map to lead to the process of negotiating peace; 3) The most dicult thing for us is making society accept such a road map. In other words, we must sell it out to Thai society and 4) Operate according to the road map. That was the opinion from Thai academics on the peace negotiation process. Actually, during the last ve years, the PULO group whose leaders reside abroad, made many offers to negotiate both on and off record. The PULO organization took on the leading role to coordinate with other groups in the southern provinces and represent them in negotiating with the Thai government, although they are aware that the BRN coordinate group outnumbered them in military strength. However, previous negotiations only increased trust between the groups. There were some efforts by the security units to negotiate with the representatives of the insurgency. However it did not appear in the news because the government itself would not cooperate, except last year when there was a deception that became the talk of the town. Government representatives appeared on television to announce a cease-re. It is believed that there were a former high-ranking military ocers behind the scenes. After that incident, however, the violence didnt decrease even for a day.

In the past, there had appeared to be a third party intermediary, such as the case of Langkawi Island where Dr. Mahadir Mohammad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia gave an offered to assist with the negotiation. However, it was not any response from the Thai government. But towards the end of General Surayuth Julanonthas government, the Prime Minister visited the Middle East with former Commander-in-Chief of the ground forces at that time and the current Commander-in-Chief of the ground forces, to meet with Kasturi Mahkota, spokesperson and head of Pulos foreign affairs, to try and nd a permanent solution to the crisis in Pattani. This meeting was coordinated by a third party intermediary, HDC, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. HDCs role was accepted as an attempt by a third party to seek a permanent peace solution, who also played a role in the previous negotiation. Therefore, it is interesting that the government would bring up the idea of negotiation and to see how it would proceed and whether the Democrat government would such a policy seriously. Or is it just a way to explore how such a policy would affect political stability? If so, the peace process in the southern provinces would be just another political tool, or a fallen doll that the next government can also use to its advantage.

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RW Called on The Thai Government to Take Care the Deep South Teachers.
On June 2, insurgents attacked a pickup truck transporting six teachers from their schools in Ja Nae district of Narathiwat province. Two Buddhist Thai teachers were singled out and killed: Atcharaporn Thepsorn, a teacher at Ban Dusung Ngor school who was eight months pregnant, and Warunee Navaka, a teacher at Ban Ri Nge school.

Friday, 19 June 2009 14:54

Aman News Center

(New York, June 18, 2009) Separatist insurgents should immediately cease their attacks on teachers in Thailands conict-ridden southern border provinces, Human Rights Watch (HWR) said today. Five teachers have been killed by insurgents in the south since the beginning of the new school term in May On May 19, Natthapol Janae, a teacher at 2009. Nikhom Pattana Park Tai school, was shot dead as he was riding a motorcycle from his Human Rights Watch also called on the Thai home to his school in Bannang Sta district of authorities to hold accountable those respon- Yala province. sible in a lawful manner and take measures to bolster security at schools. After each attack, schools in affected areas were closed down for security reasons. In a sickening trend, separatist insurgents are Hundreds of teachers have requested transincreasingly attacking teachers, who they con- fers from the region. The attacks on teachers sider a symbol of government authority and not only violate international law prohibitions Buddhist Thai culture, said Brad Adams, Asia against targeting civilians, but also threaten director at Human Rights Watch. There is no childrens basic right to education. excuse for such brutality. The most recent killings were only the latOn June 16, insurgents shot dead Lekha Is- est attacks on teachers and education in sara, a teacher at Ban Poh Maeng school, southern Thailand. A new generation of sepawhile she was riding on a motorcycle from ratist insurgents called the Patani Liberation home to work in Raman district of Yala prov- Fighters (Pejuang Kemerdekaan Patani) is beince. lieved responsible for killing 115 teachers and wounding more than 100 others since January On June 6, insurgents killed Matohe Yama, a 2004, when the insurgency escalated. They teacher at Ban Palukasamo in Bajoh district of have also burned more than 200 schools in Narathiwat province. the same period.

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The government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has promised to give special attention to measures that would make schools safe and teachers secure in their work. Human Rights Watch urged the government to take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of schools and teachers, but also expressed concern about vigilantism allegedly carried out by local security units in revenge for insurgent attacks on Buddhist Thai ocials and civilians. Over the past ve years, there have been many reported assassinations of imams and Muslim religious teachers (ustadz) and attacks on mosques and Muslim schools (ponoh). There have been no successful criminal investigations of these cases, leading many in the ethnic Malay Muslim population to conclude that the Thai government has been involved in a cover-up and has made it clear to the perpetrators that they can act without fear of punishment.

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Tensions ared up on June 8 after six masked gunmen opened re with assault ries and shotguns on a crowd of worshipers as they were performing the evening prayer at Al-Furquan mosque in Joh Ai Rong district of Narathiwat province. Ten people died at the scene, including the imam. At least another 12 people were seriously wounded. On June 15, separatist insurgents stabbed to death Kimsiang Sae-tang, a Thai rubber tapper of Chinese descent, then cut off his head, arms, and legs before setting his body on re. A leaet, found near Kimsiangs head, claimed the killing was in retaliation for the previous weeks massacre of ethnic Malay Muslims at Al-Furquan mosque in Joh Ai Rong district of Narathiwat province. Separatist insurgents claim that abuses by the security forces justify their attacks, but the Thai government should not allow its troops to adopt the same logic, Adams said. Any attempt to cover up the misconduct of security forces, or to protect them from criminal responsibility, will further escalate a cycle of reprisal violence. It is time for the Thai government to deal with the root causes of the conict.

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lograms of beef and 100 kilograms of sh for Volunteer of the Peace Media to End Violence the meals. All the money used was the ones Project donated by the guests visiting the mosque.
Friday, 26 June 2009 18:02

ir Payae Villagers and Friends honor the victims of Al-furqon Mosque Tragedy

On Thursday, 16 June 2009, at least 5,000 to 6,000 guests including state ocials, security ocers, civil servants, NGOs, and students from different villages and provinces from Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, all traveled to I-Payae Village in solidarity to honor the victims killed on Wednesday, 08 June 2009 at Alfurgon Mosque in I-Payae Village, Joh-irong District, Narathiwat province, Thailand. 12 people have been killed and 19 injured after armed men opened re on Alfurgon mosque during evening prayers. The police said at least ve gunmen carried out the attack. This come as Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Thai prime minister held talks with Najib Razak, his Malaysian counterpart, on efforts to halt the insurgency in southern Thailand.

For security purposes, police, military and government ocials were guarding the village as well. Despite obstacles faced by many of the guests while traveling to the village, they still manage to come in order to give support to the villagers, making them feel that they are not alone. Many people even left their daily work to come help with the memorial service. Several obstacles includes going through check points, road spikes and gashed trees on the roads For instance, while the host villagers were welcoming guests, when it was nearly noon and time for the prayer and feast, they were concerned when few people had arrived. It was later discovered when they received a phone call from nearby villagers informing them that the authorities at the check point did not allow them to go through the check point to the village. Many of the villagers had to negotiate with the authorities for a long time before they received permission to go through. Some, were told to returned home, therefore several of the planned activities were canceled or postponed when the guests had to arrive late.

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Despite the grievances and despair that surrounded the village, everyone that came lend a helping hand to organize this memorial service for the victims. Men were in charge of cooking rice, grating the coconuts, cutting trees and welcoming the guests while the women did the dishes and cooked the meals for the guests. Teenagers also helped in welcoming the guests. Villagers from nearby villages also contributed by bringing in food, fruits and Despite obstacles faced by the hosting villagdrinks. In total, the villagers prepared 300 ki- ers themselves, they still managed to organize

the memorial services with success. According to one of the villagers, the night before the memorial, a group of villagers from 20:00 to 02:00 am made a stage for the event. However, by the next morning, the village head man asked that all activities on the stage be canceled, he told the villagers that, everyone, no matter students, NGOs, or other villagers can conduct any activities on the stage, but when the activities are over, who can guarantee our safety? If the security forces place pressure on us, who will help us? We will be left alone and have to protect ourselves on our own. How can we do that? We have the example of Tanyounlimo Villager where the women and children were left in the village because of the security forces place a lot of pressure on them. Many of the villagers were very upset that they could not use the stage, but were still motivated to continue with the memorial service.

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One villager also expressed how she and the other villagers were so grateful of how many villagers from other places and students had came to join this memorial service because the tragedy of Alfurgon Mosque has made many of the villagers upset as they never thought that this would ever happen to them. This villager was also impressed by the number of people who came especially since the villagers themselves had no time to invite people but still many came. The villagers also said that some Malaysian and Singaporean friends told them that if the villagers are hurt, they will hurt more because they are united through brotherhood. With so many support received by friends, family and strangers, the villagers feel that they a stronger because they know that if they go through any problems, there will always be a lot of people giving them support and helping hands. * Remarks: Volunteers of the Peace Media to End Violence Project is the young Muslim people in Narathiwat who join the project of alternative media

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