UN Human Rights Panel Criticizes Emergency Rule, Citing Violations Against Muslims

July 31, 2005

Source: Iranian Quran News Agency

http://iqna.ir/NewsBodyDesc_en.asp?lang=en&ProdID=24811

On July 31, 2005 the Iranian Quran News Agency reported, "A leading UN human rights panel has lashed out at the new emergency rule imposed by the Thai government in its predominantly-Muslim south and the culture of impunity given to security forces, AFP reported.

'We were disturbed by what we heard in recent days... that there are certain aspects of the emergency decree that raise real questions about whether they are in line with human rights,' Ivan Shearer, a legal expert on the UN Human Rights Committee, was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse (AFP)... The Thai government has declared emergency rule across in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani, the only Muslim majority provinces in the country, instead of announcing 'emergency zones' within the provinces as had been expected.

The emergency was declared under a controversial decree rubber-stamped Friday, July 15, by a hastily convened cabinet meeting."