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OIC urges govt to prevent more bloodshed in South
Published on July 01, 2005
The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) yesterday voiced support for Thailand’s effort to work toward a peaceful outcome in the deep South and urged the government to take measures to prevent a recurrence of tragic incidents that have resulted in deaths.
In an OIC report compiled by former assistant secretary-general Syed Qasim al-Masri, who led a fact-finding mission to Thailand early this month, the world’s largest Islamic organisation pointed to the bloodshed at the Krue Se Mosque and the death of scores of unarmed demonstrators during and after the Tak Bai protest last year.
The OIC asked the government to take measures to prevent such “tragic incidents” happening again.
The 10-page report - adopted yesterday - urged the government to continue with the legal process to bring those responsible for the violence to justice.
It also urged the government to increase efforts in the investigation of the disappearance of Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit.
Moreover, the government also should take into account the historical and cultural uniqueness when taking any measures to restore peace in the predominantly Muslim region, the report said.
Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon welcomed the resolution and stated that it would pave the way for further cooperation with the OIC and “good relations” with the Islamic world.
“We have the same stance as the OIC, which is to support the role of moderate Muslims. The recommendation by the OIC states nothing beyond what the Thai government is already doing to bring about justice and well-being to the Muslim population,” Kantathi said.
The government’s tough handling of unrest in the deep South over the past year has drawn international criticism, including an expression of “serious dissatisfaction” from the OIC. Thailand adjusted its tactics recently and engaged with international Islamic organisations, including the OIC, to improve its image.
As a result of heavy lobbying from the Thai delegation, the OIC finally produced its communique and resolutions on the unrest on a positive note.
The communique - issued after the meeting yesterday - noted that the violence in the South, which has claimed about 800 lives over the past 18 months, was not a religious conflict.
“The meeting was of the view that the constructive result of the [fact-finding] mission [led by Syed] provided a basis for further dialogue and cooperation between the OIC and the Thai government, in the latter’s effort to resolve peacefully the unfortunate incidents in the three southern provinces,” it said.
The OIC’s resolution on minority Muslims in non-Muslim countries said its ministers requested the secretary-general to follow up on the unrest in southern Thailand.
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
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