 |  |  | | |  | Dear Supporter, In Thailand today, a sea of red-shirted protesters organized by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) once again took to the streets demanding dissolution of Parliament and new elections. Similar protests launched this past weekend by the UDD resulted in bloodshed and death. Thai security forces used water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition against protesters. Eyewitnesses reported seeing protesters fire assault rifles and attack soldiers with makeshift weapons and explosive devices. After Saturday's unrest, hundreds were injured and 23 people - including security agents - were killed. Call on the authorities to refrain from using unnecessary or excessive force against protesters. |  | The UDD has the right to organize peaceful protests. But they should be undertaken with respect for the rights of others and the rule of law. The Thai government should respect the right of the protesters to gather, and use force only as a last resort and to the minimum extent possible. Over the past several decades, Thailand has made considerable progress in the advancement of human rights. But today the country stands on the brink of a crisis that could devastate that progress. We welcome the Thai government's pledge to promptly investigate violence and abuses by all sides. But the state of emergency decree, passed by the government days ago, confers immunity on anyone carrying out emergency powers in good faith. In other words, Thai security forces have sweeping policing powers to crack down on violence at all costs. That means all tactics from brutality to web and news censorship are fully permitted and currently being employed. We've got to steer authorities from this dangerous path now! Urge Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya not to abandon or sideline human rights during this state of emergency. In Solidarity, - Jen, Vienna, Kyra and the rest of the crisis response team
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© Copyright 2010 | Amnesty International USA | 5 Penn Plaza | New York, NY 10001 | 212.807.8400
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| | | | | | Dear Supporter, In Thailand today, a sea of red-shirted protesters organized by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) once again took to the streets demanding dissolution of Parliament and new elections. Similar protests launched this past weekend by the UDD resulted in bloodshed and death. Thai security forces used water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition against protesters. Eyewitnesses reported seeing protesters fire assault rifles and attack soldiers with makeshift weapons and explosive devices. After Saturday's unrest, hundreds were injured and 23 people - including security agents - were killed. Call on the authorities to refrain from using unnecessary or excessive force against protesters. | | The UDD has the right to organize peaceful protests. But they should be undertaken with respect for the rights of others and the rule of law. The Thai government should respect the right of the protesters to gather, and use force only as a last resort and to the minimum extent possible. Over the past several decades, Thailand has made considerable progress in the advancement of human rights. But today the country stands on the brink of a crisis that could devastate that progress. We welcome the Thai government's pledge to promptly investigate violence and abuses by all sides. But the state of emergency decree, passed by the government days ago, confers immunity on anyone carrying out emergency powers in good faith. In other words, Thai security forces have sweeping policing powers to crack down on violence at all costs. That means all tactics from brutality to web and news censorship are fully permitted and currently being employed. We've got to steer authorities from this dangerous path now! Urge Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya not to abandon or sideline human rights during this state of emergency. In Solidarity, - Jen, Vienna, Kyra and the rest of the crisis response team
| | | | DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Messages sent to this email address are not read. If you have a question or comment, please use our interactive online help system. Subscribe to our RSS feeds. | | | |
© Copyright 2010 | Amnesty International USA | 5 Penn Plaza | New York, NY 10001 | 212.807.8400
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