The United Nations human rights chief today welcomed the report from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT) and called on the South-east Asian country to implement its recommendations to advance accountability and understanding among different segments of its society.
“In spite of its limited mandate and initial difficulties, the TRCT has conducted an important investigation into political violence and human rights violations in Thailand,” said High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.
“The Royal Thai Government now has the responsibility to act on the TRCT’s recommendations, both in holding State officials to account and addressing the institutional weaknesses identified in the report.”
During April and May 2010, demonstrations took place in Thailand, leading to violence in which 92 people died and thousands were injured. On 6 July 2010, the Government established the TRCT with the mandate to seek truth and reconciliation.
While the final report fails to specify who was responsible for the deaths during the demonstrations, it contains substantive findings backed by forensic evidence and recommends urgent action to bring perpetrators to justice, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a news release.
