New war on drugs starts amid fears of rights abuses

[LaaMok]

a six month campaign starts!! remember how many 1000's got killed last time?

 

 

 

New war on drugs starts amid fears of rights abuses

 

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

 

The government yesterday kicked off a new war on drugs amid concerns by human rights advocates over the possible use of excessive force. Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat, who oversees the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said the government was aware of the severity of the drugs problem and wanted to tackle it urgently.

 

A coordinating centre chaired by Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung will implement a three-party strategy involving officials from 14 ministries.

 

The six-month drugs war runs until September. It aims to reduce the number of drugs dealers, addicts and high-risk groups; encourage public participation in monitoring the campaign, promote public awareness of the dangers of drugs; and will emphasise suppression in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the southernmost border provinces, and other border provinces.

 

''Various kinds of illicit drugs have spread quickly throughout the country, which is why we need to launch a drugs war,'' Mr Sompong said.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who chaired the campaign launch, said he did not believe that authorities under the Thaksin Shinawatra government were involved in illegal drug-related killings.

 

Mr Somchai said he would pay special attention to concerns about the possible use of excessive force.

 

He said police had been told not to get involved in any drugs killings except when acting in self-defence.

 

Somchai Hom-laor, chairman of the NGOs Coalition for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, said he was still worried that authorities may opt for a heavy-handed approach.

 

He urged authorities to respect human rights and the rule of law, saying the campaign would be monitored closely.

 

''We back the government's drugs suppression efforts, as long as authorities refrain from using illegal means to bring wrongdoers to justice,'' he said.

 

 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/03Apr2008_news10.php

[Siam Sam]

Now is not the time to get caught on a ya ba session back at the loom.