Thailand’s Burma policies may be more proactive on human rights

CMM Reporters

During a recent series of interviews, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has given indications that he would be speaking to representatives of other ASEAN nations regarding the importance in the international community of due regard to human rights.

He considers that unless a believable stance worldwide is taken by ASEAN member countries, the group may have problems achieving its stated objectives, and that both the West and Asia should unite to bring change to Burma.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that a group of armed Burmese nationals who were arrested in Mae Sot, on the Thai-Burmese border, are claiming that they were working under the orders of the military Junta.

Sources in the area have confirmed that, in the past, prominent opposition leaders in exile have been targeted for assassination by the Junta, as have leaders of ethnic groups and human rights organisations working in the border area.

Opposition sources have also stated that armed undercover agents have been deployed by the Burmese government in assassination attempts.

Vol. VIII No. 1 - Tuesday
January 6 - January 12, 2009