NHRC to set up 10 panels to look into clashes

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will set up 10 working panels to investigate incidents relating to the red-shirt rally.

Since the anti-government demonstration started in March, many violent incidents, including street clashes, have taken place. There were huge casualties.

"The working panels will interview witnesses and gather evidence," NHRC chairwoman Prof Amara Pongsapich said yesterday. The panels will comprise of NHRC officials, academics, public prosecutors and officials from relevant agencies.

Amara was speaking after she met with an NHRC subcommittee, chaired by NHRC commissioner Paiboon Varahapaitoon, tasked with looking into rally-related incidents. Amara said the investigation would focus on 10 points:

 Demonstrators' activities between March 12 and May 20, including their moves to surround various government agencies;

 Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's declaration of the emergency decree on April 7, as well as his government's moves to block the People Channel and suspend the services of several community radio stations, print media and websites;

 The April 10 clashes;

 Grenade attacks at the Sala Daeng intersection on April 22, and shooting at security officials on May 7;

 The clash between red shirts and security officials at the National Memorial on April 28;

 Red shirts' rally around the Police General Hospital, as well as their raid into Chulalongkorn Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society;

 The government's orders and security officials' operations between May 13 and May 19, as well as red shirts' activities over the same period, including riots, arson attacks and vandalism;

 The six bodies found inside the Pathum Wanaram Temple between May 19 and May 20;

 Deaths and injuries of media crew;

 The deaths, injuries, disappearances and detentions of many people between March 12 and May 20.

Amara said the investigation would likely take more than 120 days.

According to her, the 10 working panels will submit evidence and relevant information to the Paiboon-chaired subcommittee.

"If this subcommittee believes that the information is complete and comprehensive, it will consult the subcommittee on laws and regulations, and work out which have been violated," Amara said. "Then, the case will be brought to NHRC."

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) adviser Sunai Phasuk revealed that the HRW had also set up a panel to dig into the facts about the recent violence in Thailand.

"Representatives from the HRW headquarters will join this panel," he said.

Sunai said the recent unrest marked the first time a battle with proper weapons had erupted in the heart of Bangkok.

"We have to present truths for both sides to reflect on what they have been doing," he said. "They should accept the truths and admit their wrongdoing."