Under the watchful eyes of soldiers, Muslim villagers use their motorcycles to block a road in Yala’s Krong Pinang sub-district yesterday in protest against the recent search of a local mosque by authorities. They later dispersed without incident.

The world's largest Islamic organisation yesterday praised the government's move to grant amnesty for people involved in violence in the restive South.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday informed visiting Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary-general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu that the government agreed to propose an amnesty bill for the National Legislative Assembly to consider.

"I think by announcing the amnesty during my visit, the government is sending a message that it's committed to a peaceful solution," Ihsanoglu told a press conference.

"The initiative of the government is appreciated and we welcome that," he said.

The proposed amnesty would cover all people involved in the ongoing violence in the deep South who "did not commit an offence under the Penal Code," Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said.

Nitya and Ihsanoglu issued a joint statement after the OIC visit to show cooperation in solving problems in the South.

Earlier, Ihsanoglu made a plea to "fellow Muslims" in Thailand to admire and respect the rule of law and for the government to give Muslims rights equal to other people in the country.

The OIC chief, who was here for the organisation's first-ever official visit, addressed many prominent Muslim leaders during a meeting at the Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand in Bangkok yesterday in the context of the crisis in the far South.

The government blames Muslim militants for orchestrating attacks against the Buddhist-dominated state. The wave of violence that erupted at the beginning of 2004 has killed more than 2,000 people in the region.

"We consider Muslim minorities under the Ummah (one Muslim community) doctrine, but the Muslims should be good citizens and respect the laws of their countries," Ihsanoglu said.

Islam was religion of moderation and of peace, he said. Any action against humans was not acceptable.

"Nobody should associate the terrorists and violence with Islam," Ihsanoglu said at the meeting.

The OIC was observing the situation in southern Thailand and encouraged by the new government's policies toward Muslim minorities. The organisation would support measures taken by the government to solve the problems, he said.

Ismail Lutfi Japakiya, rector of Yala Islamic University, speaking in Arabic at the meeting, called on the government to employ peace and a reconciliatory approach, and to eliminate all conditions that cause and fuel violence.

"We should find ways to disarm local people, not arm them to make war against each other," he said.

Arong Suthasana, an academic from Pathumthani University, said violence in the region was growing more severe and the victims were not only Buddhists but also Muslims. Attempts were being made to stir up sectarian conflict between Buddhists and Muslims in the predominantly Muslim region.

Buddhists and Muslims used to live peacefully in the region but had become antagonistic towards each other, he said.

"Sooner or later, it will affect Muslims and Buddhists in every corner of the world.

"Conflict is easy to create but difficult to eliminate," he said.

A "special development region" was a solution to address problems of minorities in the region, he said, adding that it was not about autonomy but an approach to put all dimensions into development.

Angkana Neelaphaijit, chairwoman of the Working Group for Peace, suggested lifting emergency law in the region as it opened chances for human rights violations. She also suggested demilitarisation and an arms control programme for both the government and civil society.

Ihsanoglu singled out Angkana for calling on authorities to carry on with the case of her missing husband Somchai, who championed justice for Muslims.

"The OIC has followed the case and we're looking forward to seeing the verdicts," he said.

The OIC shared her ideas about revoking emergency law and creating safeguards to reduce torture, he said.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation