Descent into chaos : Thailand's 2010 Red Shirt protests and the government crackdown / [written by Peter Bouckaert ; edited by Brad Adams, James Ross, and Danielle Haas].

New York, NY : Human Rights Watch, [2011]

©2011

HN700.55.Z9 V53 2011

Thailand's 2010 Red Shirt protests and the government crackdown

1564327647
9781564327642

156 pages : illustrations(some color) ; 27 cm

(OCoLC)726185497

"In April and May 2010, Thailand experienced its most serious political violence in decades. At least 90 people died and more than 2,000 were wounded in clashes between government security forces and anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), also known as the "Red Shirts." Arson attacks in and outside Bangkok caused billions of dollars of damage. Based on 94 interviews with eyewitnesses, journalists, human rights defenders, parliamentarians, lawyers, government officials, security personnel, and participants in the events, Descent into Chaos provides a detailed account of the violence and human rights abuses committed by all sides. The high death toll and injuries resulted largely from excessive use of lethal force by government security forces, including firing of live ammunition at protesters, sometimes by snipers. Deliberate attacks on the security forces by the so-called "Black Shirts," armed elements connected with the UDD, also caused deaths and injuries. UDD leaders made inflammatory speeches to demonstrators, encouraging their supporters to carry out riots, arson attacks, and looting. The Thai government adopted various measures that seriously infringed on fundamental rights. These have continued since the protests were broken up. The government has arbitrarily arrested and detained UDD members and held suspects without charge in unofficial places of detention. Detainees have been abused by members of the security forces. A far-reaching government crackdown on freedom of expression and media resulted in the banning of publications, closure of scores of community radio stations, and blocking of thousands of ostensibly pro-UDD websites. While UDD members and supporters are in custody awaiting prosecution, government forces implicated in abuses enjoy impunity. The government needs to undertake impartial and transparent investigations and prosecute those responsible for criminal offenses, including those who ordered unlawful use of force or incited violence."--P. [4] of cover.

"This report was written by Peter Bouckaert, director of the Emergencies division of Human Rights Watch. It was edited by Brad Adams, director of the Asia division; James Ross, legal and policy director; and Danielle Haas in the program office of Human Rights Watch."--P. 150.

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