THE RELATIVES COMMITTEE OF THE MAY 1992 HEROES – THAILAND
The May 1992 event was one of the bloodiest uprisings by the Thai
democracy advocates. Its cause can be traced back to a coup committed by a
group of top army men in 1991, which has overthrown the then civilian and
elected regime and subsequently led to the appointment of an interim
regime. Later during the year, a general election was called as promised
by the coup leaders, and people were expecting the restoration of a
democratic administration. Nevertheless, one of the coup leaders, who
formed the National Peace Keeping Council (NPKC) as an overshadow
government; General Suchinda Kraprayoon took over the premiership.
This happened against the will of the people and against the promise made
by the general himself. The angry crowd demonstrations spread everywhere
in the capital city of Bangkok. However, it was met with brutal and
violent suppression by the army. The victims were shot dead and some were
seriously wounded and others remain missing.
The extent of brutalities and inhumane practice were archived by at least
two internationally recognized human rights organizations. In addition to
summary executions, human rights violations included unnecessary and
disproportionate use of lethal force, said the Human Rights Watch. From 17
to 20 May in Bangkok, the official government statements reported 52
people, 696 others injured, and 175 persons “disappeared”, said Amnesty
International.
After the May 1992, the Relatives of the deceased, the disabled, and the
disappeared heroes and heroines formed the May 1992 Relatives Committee
whose main objectives are as follows;
To rehabilitate and give moral support among the relatives of the
deceased, the disabled and the disappeared heroes and heroines as a result
of the May 1992 crackdown.
To demand for the return of the remains of missing persons in order to
arrange proper funeral rites.
To demand full revelation of the investigation, this will pave way to the
litigation attempts against those responsible for the shooting orders.
In the year 2000, The Relatives Committee of the May 1992 Heroes had
submitted the bloodiest case of May 1992 victims to the UN Human Rights in
Geneva, Switzerland. The May 1992 case was as well mentioned in the
intervention of Pax Romana (NGO) at the UN General Assembly.
In the year 2001, the UN Working Group of Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances admitted the May 1992 case. During the visit of the UN High
Commissioner of Human Rights in Bangkok, Ms. Mary Robinson, she took this
opportunity to request the Prime Minister of Thailand for an explanation
on the May event. So far, the report of the Thai Government to the UN High
Commissioner of Human Rights is not satisfactory.
The present Cabinet led by Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra had set up the Working
Committee comprised of the 3 Ministers to find the solution toward the
appeal of May 1992 victims’ families. However, the Committee failed to
fulfill the demands of May 1992 victims’ families.
Thus, the new Working Committee is comprised of the former Prime Minister
and the 6 respectable public personalities were set up under the name: The
Independent Committee for May 1992 Disappearance - Finding & Relief.
This Committee had already finalized the plan of May 1992 Relief & Redress
then submitted it to the Cabinet. However, the finding of May 1992
disappearances has not yet been conducted due to the lack of the full
cooperation from involved parties.
The Relatives Committee of the May 1992 Heroes strongly wishes that the
Cabinet led by Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra will carry out this mission
successfully as soon as possible in accordance with his words to the UN
High Commissioner of Human Rights.
