| Submit your comments on this article |
| Southeast Asia |
| Where have all the human rights advocacy groups gone? |
| 2007-03-15 |
| In the wake of Wednesday's massacre of eight innocent civilians in a public van, is it about time the government to rethink peace talks with the murderous insurgents and to be more decisive against the insurgents? How long can we, the people, tolerate the seemingly endless killings of our brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, in the Deep South? The massacre of eight people, including five females, after the van in which they were travelling from Betong district of Yala province to Hat Yai district of Songkhla province was ambushed by Islamic insurgents on Wednesday appears to have pushed the tolerance of quite a few people beyond the limits. These peace-loving people took to the streets in Chumphon, Chiang Rai and several other provinces to condemn the murderous insurgents for their brutal killings of the innocent civilians. Surprisingly though, human rights advocacy groups who would normally scream foul play the loudest when a Muslim was killed by government forces were completely silent over the Wednesday's massacre. None of them joined the protests to condemn the insurgents. Did the silence amount to double standard practice? The massacre of the eight van passengers who was each shot in the head in point-blank clearly speaks volume that the insurgents have no regard whatsoever on human lives. Nor are they interested in the olive branch offered by the government. All Buddhists in the three strife-torn southernmost provinces are regarded as their enemies who have to be exterminated. Thus, it is pointless for the authorities to talk peace with these killers who have no desire to co-exist harmonously with their countrymen of the other religious faiths. It seems the only language they understand is the use of force. The insurgents have brought terror to the urban and rural communities in the Deep South as well as some parts of Songkhla to the point that there are no places which are safe. Is it about time for government forces to bring the war into insurgents-infested territories and to secure safety, for a starter, in urban communities? More paramilitary rangers are to be deployed in the Deep South to counter the insurgency. But reinforcements alone without the imposition of some tough measures such as curfew will not be enough to deal with the problem. Curfew, say from 10 p.m. to 4 or 5 a.m. of the next day, should be imposed in the municipal areas where business and commercial interests are concentrate, will help in restricting the movements of the insurgents who have been successful in planting bombs under cover of darkness in municipal areas. Since not many urban residents venture out at night, the curfew will not add more hardship on them. And if the authorites are not quite sure whether the residents will accept the curfew or not, they can conduct an opinion poll to guage their opinions. If the curfew works, it can be gradually extended to outlying areas. |
| Posted by:ryuge |
| #3 Right. The 1800s, not the 18th Century. I'm numerically-challenged today. |
| Posted by: Eric Jablow 2007-03-15 23:28 |
| #2 Eric, there was no NRA in 18th century (1701-1800) so it could hardly oppose to anything. It was established 71 years later than your time frame reference. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-03-15 22:35 |
| #1 Ask Condi what her father did when her family was threatened in our Deep South. I'll give you a hint: who did the NRA oppose in the 18th century? |
| Posted by: Eric Jablow 2007-03-15 20:49 |