|
|
|
The OIC extends its help in the South
Published on June 09, 2005
The following is the joint press statement issued on Tuesday to mark the conclusion of the discussions between the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) delegation, led by HE Sayed K el-Masry, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn.
By the invitation of the Thai government, the OIC delegation is on a goodwill and orientation visit to Thailand during June 2-13. The OIC visit follows the visit by a Thai delegation led by Nissai Vejjajiva, special envoy of the Foreign Ministry, to the OIC in Jeddah, on March 5 in response to the concern expressed by OIC regarding the situation in the southern provinces of Thailand.
In light of the concern expressed by the OIC, the delegation was to gather first-hand information and facts concerning the situation to enable OIC members to have a better understanding of the events that have occurred in the southern provinces of Thailand.
The OIC delegation expressed its appreciation for the facilities rendered by the Thai government in arranging their itinerary. The members of the delegation met and had consultations with the Sheikul Islam, provincial Islamic committees and local religious and community leaders and a number of non-governmental organisations. The OIC also held discussions with government officials including Deputy Prime Minister Pol General Chidchai Vanasatidya, Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon and permanent secretary of the Foreign Ministry Krit Garnjana-Goonchorn, and met with the victims and those directly affected by the tragic incidents at Krue Se and Tak Bai.
The OIC delegation also paid a courtesy call on Anand Panyarachun, chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission and a former prime minister of Thailand. The OIC delegation held discussions and frank exchanges of view with the Thai side covering a range of spectrum of opinions.
The OIC delegation visited the southern provinces of Thailand, which are predominantly inhabited by Thai Muslims. The visits included the Krue Se Mosque and the Tak Bai district police station, where tragic events took place during 2004. The delegation also observed other sites of violent incidents perpetrated by militants. The OIC delegation reiterated that the visit was not intended to intervene in the internal affairs of Thailand. The also OIC reaffirmed its long-standing policy of not supporting separatism and sectarianism; of respecting Thailand’s sovereignty; and of condemning acts of violence from all quarters and terror against innocent civilians.
The Thai side said the situation in the southern provinces of Thailand had been marked by relative peace and religious harmony prior to the outbreak of violence in January 2004. The Thai side also pointed out that there was no discrimination against Thai Muslims and that they are not treated as minorities. And, under the Constitution, they enjoy the same political and civil liberties and freedom of religion as any Thai citizen. It was evident that the current situation in the South, particularly in the three southernmost provinces, is being instigated by militants who have resorted to terror and violence directed at innocent civilians, both Muslim and Buddhist.
After discussions with the Thai side, the OIC delegation reaffirmed that the situation in the southern provinces of Thailand is not a religious conflict.
The Thai side recognised the Krue Se and Tak Bai incidents as national tragedies that had resulted from a failure of the officers to properly discharge their assigned functions and duties and reaffirmed that the findings of the independent fact-finding committees are in the process of implementation. They said that those found to have committed wrongdoings would be subject to the due process of law to avoid the climate of impunity.
The OIC delegation welcomed steps taken by the Thai government to provide compensation to the victims of the Tak Bai and Krue Se incidents and their families, especially in the form of financial and educational assistance as well as counselling, vocational training and sponsorships for the Hajj pilgrimage. The OIC delegation emphasised that full redress should cover economically accessible damages, loss of opportunities, including employment, and psychological rehabilitation.
The OIC delegation appreciated the intensification of efforts by the Thai government to address the situation in the southern provinces in a comprehensive and long-term manner to meet the economic and social needs and to address the specific need in terms of religious education of the people in the South. The delegation also appreciated the effort to promote the process of national reconciliation, and encouraged the government to address the root causes of the problem through dialogue as part of the reconciliation efforts. The Thai side assured that dialogue was an integral part of the reconciliation process, under the commission headed by Anand.
In response to queries by the OIC delegation on the use of martial law, the Thai side explained that martial law was only a temporary measure and does not substantially curtail fundamental human rights enshrined in Thailand’s Constitution or any international obligations.
Both sides regarded the visit as fruitful and constructive and the Thai government expressed hope that the OIC delegation would report its findings to its members before the 32nd session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers on June 28-30 in Sana’a, Republic of Yemen.
The delegation reaffirmed the OIC’s readiness to extend to the Thai government cooperation in any way through the OIC itself and its affiliated organisations, such as the IDB [Islamic Development Bank], for the well-being of the Muslim community in Thailand. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
