Army claims to be looking into an event in Tak province that several witnesses confirmed.
PUBLISHED: 15 Nov 2024 at 17: 33
A party for human rights has demanded that Thai authorities do more investigation into the “horrific” killing of a Myanmar immigrant earlier this year, alleging that three soldiers had tortured and beaten the man.
According to Fortify Rights, Aung Ko Ko, 37, died after three men and a Myanmar regional brought him to an abandoned military vault where they kicked and beat him with a bamboo rod because he was a member of a local defense group that carried the Thai flag, according to witnesses and legal papers.
The prey was a voluntary part of the Baan Tai town security police, known in Thai as Chor Ror Bor, who were trained and vetted by Thai officials, according to Fortify Rights ‘” Death at the Thai-Myanmar Border.” Their dress of black shirts with the Department of Provincial Administration logo on them was recognized.
A Thai jury convicted the Myanmar person, Sirachuch, in September and sentenced him to five years in prison for being an accomplice to Aung Ko Ko’s suicide, according to Fortify Rights and the prosecutor’s prosecutor, who declined to comment further, citing the awareness of the case.
But, the police chief in Mae Sot, where Aung Ko Ko’s body was found, told Reuters that Sirachuch had not identified his partners.
He did not name any others, but” we have thoroughly followed the lawful process,” according to Pol Col Pittayakon Petcharat.
The military said it was looking into the claims.
Thailand has always prioritized and valued human rights, according to Maj Gen Thanathip Sawangsang, a spokesman for the army, who was quoted by AFP as saying,” We are in the process of investigating and looking for the facts.”
Reuters was unable to independently verify the allegations or contact Sirachuch for remark. He was contacted by Reuters ‘ prosecutor for inquiries.
Thailand’s coming member of the UN Human Rights Council had a “heightened responsibility to protect people right,” according to Fortify Rights ‘ CEO, Matthew Smith, in a statement.
” The brutal torture and dying of Aung Ko Ko may be allowed to go unresolved”, he said.
Smith claimed to have spoken with the DSI about the situation in the first few days of November. A post demand was not received by the DSI.
Since the coup in Myanmar in 2021, which caused chaos and sent many persons fleeing across the border, anti-migrant attitude has risen in Thailand as a result.
A growing number of illegal Myanmar migrants, according to some ultra-nationalist groups, have alleged that Thai state regulations have been weak, leading to their claim to have received social benefits.
Aung Ko Ko’s close family reported that the construction worker had left Myanmar to get better medical care.
” They did n’t have to kill him”, the relative said, through tears. ” I feel really hurt. I want those culprits who killed ( him ) to have suitable punishment”.