Thailand should end its policy of blacklisting suspected militants in the restive south because it could lead to arbitrary detention and torture, a U.S.-based human rights group said.
| What's a Thailand-based human rights group have to say about it? |
A report released Saturday by Human Rights Watch said Thai authorities are using "flawed blacklists" to pressure innocent Muslims to surrender to authorities.
| HRW, of course, has a much better handle on which Moose limbs are innocent and which aren't, if any. |
The policy has heightened fear and mistrust in the region where fighting between Muslim insurgents and the military has left more than 1,100 dead over the past 23 months, the New York-based group said.
| See, that just goes to show what a dumbass I am. I thought it was the Moose limbs chopping people's heads off that heightened fear and mistrust. Just goes to show what I know. |
"The use of blacklists is eroding trust between Muslim villagers and the government because they are being used arbitrarily and without due process of law," said Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch. "Muslim villagers are living in fear that they will be told by district officials and security forces to surrender to authorities or face arrest or worse." Government spokesman Suraphong Suebwonglee said he had not seen the report and could not comment specifically on the allegations. But he said the government has "performed its duty in accordance (with the) constitution and national security acts."
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