Prawit defends use of emergency law

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Thursday defended the government's use of the emergency decree and martial law to quell violence in the far South.

His remarks came after local and religious leaders questioned the cabinet's decision to extend the decree for three months in the southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. The decree, first imposed in 2005 by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, permits authorities to detain suspects without charge and protects officials against legal prosecution for their actions while on duty.

Gen Prawit said a 50% drop in violent incidents last year came as a result of the imposition of the emergency decree and martial law in the South.

The two laws were compatible with each other for the greater efficiency in dealing with the South issue, he said.

"Martial law does more good than harm because the situation has improved. We are on the right track, given last year's halving of violent attacks from the previous year," Gen Prawit said, adding that the locals backed the enforcement of martial law.

The defence minister admitted that the situation in the far South was a long way from normal. Field officials would update Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on the situation during his visit to the region tomorrow, he said.

Security has been tightened to ensure safety for Mr Abhisit's visit, which is aimed at gaining first-hand information.

Asked about the Amnesty International report on the torture of suspected southern insurgents by Thai authorities, Gen Prawit said there had been no military reports on such matters.

Senior officers have always instructed their subordinates to look after the people, not hurt them, he said.

Col Prinya Chaidilok, chief of the public relations centre of the Internal Security Operations Command Region 4, dismissed the possibility of cruel abuse of suspected militants by soldiers.

His comment came after a controversial clip on video-sharing website YouTube, which showed three men in military uniform taking turns physically assaulting and shouting obscenities at a young man, who appeared to be Muslim. No detailed information on who shot the clip, or the time and place it was recorded, was shown.

Col Prinya said brutality was not the army's policy.

"According to the Fourth Army chief, security forces must not violate human rights; they are there to help improve people's quality of life," he said.

"We seek help from the Foreign Ministry to correct misunderstandings about the clip among the world community."